Royal presence confirmed for Barcelona’s Champions League meeting with Aston Villa

Prince William and his eldest son, Prince George, will attend Barcelona’s Champions League match against Aston Villa at Camp Nou on 03 November 2026.

The pair will watch the game from the stadium’s VIP area after Barcelona received official confirmation of their attendance, according to Mundo Deportivo.

Prince William, the son of King Charles III and the late Princess Diana, is a well-known Aston Villa supporter. He has regularly attended the Birmingham club’s European matches and will be joined by Prince George, who shares his father’s support for the side.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta will welcome the royal guests and host them in the area reserved for senior visitors. Aston Villa’s highest-ranking representative will be the club’s chief executive, Damia Vidagany.

The VIP section will also include a number of football and public figures connected with the match.

Former Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez, who won the UEFA Champions League with the club in 2005, will attend in his role as a UEFA observer. He will be joined by UEFA delegate Vito Di Giowa and referee observer Thomas Einwaller.

Former Barcelona player and 1977 Ballon d’Or winner Allan Simonsen is also due to be present.

Government and football representatives

Other guests expected in the Camp Nou VIP area include Jose Crespin, the Spanish government’s representative in Catalonia, and Oscar Ordeig, the region’s minister for agriculture, livestock, fisheries and food.

David Escude, the sports councillor for Barcelona City Council, and David Perez, the second vice-president of the Parliament of Catalonia, are also scheduled to attend.

Gloria Freixa, the first secretary of the Parliament, will be present alongside Pilar Diaz, the government’s representative in Barcelona.

Manuel Rodriguez, head of the Catalan police force, and Anabel Sprott, deputy consul general of the United Kingdom, are among the other expected guests.

Charlie Marshall, chief executive of the European Football Clubs association (EFC), completes the list of senior figures named to attend.

The royal visit adds an extra focus to a fixture otherwise centred on the contest between Barcelona and their English visitors, with Prince William’s long-standing support for Aston Villa providing the main connection between the match and the VIP gathering.