Barcelona launches Camp Nou remembrance scheme with 26,000 spaces for supporters’ ashes

Barcelona supporters will be able to have their ashes kept at Camp Nou under a new memorial scheme, with the club offering spaces intended to provide a lasting connection to the stadium.

The Guardian reported that fans could soon support Barcelona throughout their lives and remain connected with the club after death, although that form of loyalty comes at a cost.

As part of the redevelopment of Camp Nou, Barcelona has opened the “Barcelona Memorial”, which contains 26,000 spaces where supporters can place their ashes after death.

A 10-year space costs 2,490 euros (£2,082), while a 50-year arrangement is priced at 6,000 euros. Both options carry an annual maintenance charge of 70 euros.

Fans seeking a permanent place will pay 10,000 euros, with a further 490 euros required for a commemorative plaque.

Presenting the Barcelona memorial, the club’s vice-president for institutional affairs, Maria Elena Fort, said: “When my grandfather died many years ago, he said the only thing he wanted was to be buried next to Barcelona’s stadium so he could hear the sound of the goals in the afterlife. Many supporters dream of the same thing.”

How the memorial will look

The memorial, designed by architect Kike Montoya, consists of four large illuminated squares. Commemorative plaques will be installed on a glass wall lit from behind by LED lamps.

The urns will be kept behind a mural celebrating key moments from the club’s 125-year history.

Atletico Madrid, Real Betis and Espanyol already have smaller communal cemeteries at their stadiums.

Camp Nou redevelopment

Redevelopment work on Barcelona’s stadium is due to begin late next year, and the club says more than 1,000 supporters have already reserved spaces. Their payments will help meet the substantial cost of rebuilding the stadium, which was constructed in 1957.

Barcelona began a plan in 2023 to increase Camp Nou’s capacity from 99,354 to 105,000. That is described as 15,000 more than Wembley and would make it the second-largest football stadium in the world, behind Rungrado 1st of May Stadium in Pyongyang, North Korea.

The project was initially estimated to cost 900m euros but is now approaching 2bn euros. The financial burden is currently being carried by non-season-ticket holders, who have seen ticket prices double in recent years.

The redevelopment has been affected by delays and labour disputes. In 2024, Barcelona acknowledged, among other issues, that more than 1,000 subcontractors had not been paid for overtime work.

The project is scheduled to be completed later this year, but Barcelona will have to play part of next season at the 55,926-capacity Olympic Stadium while a roof is installed at Camp Nou.

Barcelona currently lead La Liga with 33 points, three ahead of second-placed Real Madrid.