Barcelona prepare mystery mosaic as Camp Nou targets record Clasico revenue

Barcelona are preparing a new mosaic display for Sunday’s Clasico against Real Madrid, while ticket demand at Camp Nou raises the possibility of a record matchday income.

It will be the second Clasico at the stadium since Barcelona returned from their temporary home at Montjuic while renovation work was under way. As in previous major fixtures, the stands are expected to be covered by a large-scale mosaic, a tradition started by the Penya Almogavers supporters’ group in 1992.

The club is keeping the design and message of this weekend’s display secret. Barcelona have been working with all the supporters’ groups to ensure it remains a surprise until the match begins.

The first Clasico after the return to Camp Nou was played on 10 May and ended in a 2-0 Barcelona victory, which officially secured the La Liga title. On that occasion, the first and second tiers of the stadium were covered with blue and red cards forming the club crest and the words “FORCA BARCA”.

Camp Nou is again expected to be full, with Barcelona targeting ticket revenue above the €16.5m generated by the May fixture. That was the club’s highest-ever income from a match against Real Madrid, with 62,213 supporters attending.

The prospect of a new record has been strengthened by the expansion of the stadium’s VIP seating. Since the start of this month, when Barcelona began playing home matches at Camp Nou, the second tier has included four complete rows of VIP seats running around the stadium. Previously, that area contained only one or two rows.

Only a small number of seats remained available three days before kick-off. Prices have risen sharply since sales opened under the club’s dynamic pricing system, which adjusts costs according to demand.

General admission tickets originally started at €299 behind the goals, while seats in the main stand began at €1,092. They have since increased to between €1,109 in the first tier and €2,099 in the central section of that tier.

VIP tickets begin at €2,400, with the most expensive premium seats costing €8,000. Those seats are positioned directly behind the substitutes’ benches.

The scale of demand means Barcelona could surpass the €16.5m record set in May, while the stadium’s traditional mosaic will provide the visual centrepiece for the latest meeting between the two Spanish giants.