FC Barcelona has unveiled an ambitious 600 million euros renovation project for the Camp Nou stadium. The proposed renovations include covering the stadium and increasing its seating capacity from the current 99,354 to 105,000 spectators. The renovation is scheduled to commence in May 2017 and is expected to be completed by February 2021.
Initially, the club had considered constructing a new stadium, but the estimated cost of 1.2 billion euros was deemed too high. Instead, the decision was made to revamp the existing Camp Nou.
In the midst of these plans, speculation arose regarding the possibility of a “naming” sponsorship deal for the stadium. There were discussions about the prospect of renaming Camp Nou to “Camp Nou Qatar” in exchange for a sponsorship deal worth 350 million euros over 30 years. This naming strategy has become popular in the sports world, with examples like the Emirates Stadium in Arsenal and the Allianz Arena in Munich.
FC Barcelona already has a sponsorship deal with the “Qatar Foundation” for their jerseys, bringing in 165 million euros. If the Camp Nou Qatar naming deal materializes, it remains to be seen whether it will apply to the renovated stadium or a potential new one.
The report also raises the intriguing question of Lionel Messi’s opinion on the matter, indicating the potential impact on the club’s star player and global icon. However, Messi’s stance on the proposed naming sponsorship is not provided in the information provided.
