Barcelona delegates approve €510 million in new debt to finance stadium works and operating liquidity

Financing approval and debt increase

At the remote General Assembly on 19 September 2026, FC Barcelona delegates voted to approve two financing proposals totalling 510 million euros. The first measure authorizes 300 million euros in additional borrowing for the Espai Barça stadium project over a 30-year term at an approximate fixed interest rate of 6%, passing with 562 votes in favour, 45 against, and 12 blank. The second vote cleared a 210 million euro bond issuance backed by additional club audiovisual rights across 10 years to supply ordinary liquidity, passing with 486 votes in favour, 55 against, and 28 blank. The two approvals bring the total financial debt of the club to 2,680 million euros, while delegates also approved the operating budget for the 2026-2027 season forecasting 1,195 million euros in revenue.

Stadium schedule and Palau Blaugrana separation

The newly approved funds expand available Espai Barça financing to 1,800 million euros, dedicated entirely to the Spotify Camp Nou and surrounding infrastructure. Economic vice president Ferran Olivé and president Joan Laporta confirmed that the construction of the new Palau Blaugrana arena has been removed from the Espai Barça financing package. The club plans to find an external investor who will cover the full construction costs of the arena, which will seat 12,000 spectators for matches and up to 20,000 for other entertainment events, in exchange for commercial exploitation rights over a 50-year period while the club maintains ownership and sports usage. The expanded Camp Nou capacity will rise from 62,000 to 104,000 spectators, with internal forecasts projecting 1,450 million euros in annual revenue once fully operational by the 2028-2029 season. Olivé also clarified that the first team will remain outside the venue for at least eight months.

Laporta remarks on rival club funding

During his opening address to the assembly, Joan Laporta defended the governance model of the club and contrasted its financial situation with domestic and European competitors, making reference to municipal land reclassifications granted to rival ownership structures.

We are forced to go one step ahead of rivals that are public limited companies or state clubs that, when they have difficulties, have land reclassified and carry on without a worry.

Laporta stated that Barcelona recorded a positive ordinary financial balance for the third consecutive year, exceeding 1,000 million euros in revenue during the 2025-2026 season despite staging fixtures away from Camp Nou at the Estadi Johan Cruyff and the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys.

Squad management and commercial agreements

Sporting director Deco addressed the gathering on first-team squad planning, confirming that agreement has been reached on contract renewals for Raphinha, Marc Bernal, and Espart. The assembly also ratified several commercial agreements, including commercial deals with Dubai-based real estate firms and amusement park operators with Israeli investment ties, which passed with narrower voting margins than the debt resolutions. The board indicated that debt service will be funded from future stadium revenue and commercial operations across four surrounding retail facilities rather than through special levies on club members.