How to buy tickets for the FC Barcelona

FC Barcelona is a historic club in European football. The Camp Nou has hosted the greats of this discipline, from Johan Cruyff to Messi including the aces of the current team. A weekend in the Catalan capital is the perfect excuse to see a live match. In this article I explain how to buy your FC Barcelona tickets.

Easy! All home matches in La Liga, Copa del Rey and Champions League/Europa League. Barça is one of the best teams in La Liga, playing a total of 38 matches, half of them at the Camp Nou. To this number must be added the matches in the other competitions. I will tell you which are the main ones:

• La Liga Santander: This is the main competition in Spain in which the different 1st Division teams throughout the country play against each other every weekend. It usually starts in mid-August and ends in June. Alternatively, FC Barcelona plays at home against the rest of the Spanish teams and has no less than 26 league titles to its name. Therefore, I recommend you to buy your Barcelona FC ticket soon and you will be able to enjoy the feats to which the Catalan team has accustomed us.
• The Copa del Rey: The Catalans usually reach the final stages of the Copa del Rey, not for nothing are they the most successful team in this competition. Teams of all levels play against each other in the Copa del Rey, and in September the knockout rounds begin. Barça have won the cup 31 times to date.
• Champions League: That they are one of the best teams in Europe is common knowledge and it is no coincidence that they have won the European Cup, now known as the Champions League, no less than five times. However, to see these matches you may have to go outside Catalonia or even Spain, as they are held every year in different European capitals.

The easiest way is to buy tickets online. I also recommend that you do it in advance and always on official websites, such as Hellotickets, where you will see a varied range of prices depending on the rival the team is facing and the seats you choose.

It should be borne in mind that Barça plays the other teams in La Liga one week at the Camp Nou and another at the rival's stadium, which means that you should look carefully before buying the ticket if the match will coincide with your trip. This is another reason why you can't wait until you are already in the city before deciding to watch a match. However, I do recommend that you find out how you can tour the entire stadium, without going directly to a match, with the Camp Nou Experience.

However, you can also buy tickets at the Camp Nou ticket offices, as well as in the physical FC Barcelona shops that are scattered around the city centre.

It depends on the opponent and the seats chosen. Season ticket holders benefit from more advantageous rates which do not apply to less regular fans or tourists. For the latter, prices are around 70 euros, but can go up to 150 euros.

In Spain, a ticket costs on average €70 and the Camp Nou is more expensive compared to most arenas in the country. Note that the cheapest FC Barcelona tickets are around €35 if they are playing a lesser team, but they still sell out quickly. It will not be difficult to reach and exceed the above mentioned amount.

Find out how to find your ticket without spending an arm and a leg. A few tips and tricks are enough to find the best deal.

Buy tickets in advance

The calendars of the competitions in which Barça participates are your best allies. If you are interested in a particular match, make sure you book your tickets well in advance. In any case, it is always advisable to move in advance. You will avoid ticket surcharges in the days before the match. Don't expect too much, the Camp Nou is the biggest stadium in Europe, but there are many fans both in Spain and around the world.

Choose a less important opponent

Without wishing to disparage any team, not all have the same history and track record. A match against Real Madrid does not carry the same weight as a match against a newly promoted team in La Liga. If the opponent is less known, it will be easier to find cheaper tickets. Bear in mind that a ticket for the Clásico can cost a minimum of €100 on official channels. If you have never been to the Blaugrana's home ground and don't want to spend too much, it is preferable to go when the guests are less famous.

Look for the cheapest areas

The cheapest tickets are those in the third tier, which is located in the highest part of the stadium. The visibility is not the best, but if you are a true fan, you will be able to spot the players even from high up. Other accessible areas are the Goal 1, Goal 2 Central and Goal 3 Lower which are located behind the gates. It will be more difficult to see the passages, but the goals will be more enjoyable than ever.

To avoid any kind of disappointment, trust only reliable websites. Outside the stadium it is not uncommon to see people offering tickets, but it goes without saying that it is an illegal sale. The tickets might be real, but you will be fuelling a phenomenon that harms the fans. There are also a number of resale sites. However, two problems can arise:

• The ticket does not arrive on time: these portals rely on the tickets or season tickets of the fans. If a private individual does not send the ticket in good time, it might arrive too late.
• The prices are often very high: The ticketing platforms are notorious for their ticket prices. Many users give up a match for a modest amount of money and the companies top up the total with their commission.

For those unfamiliar with the blaugrana stadium, choosing a seat can be a real headache. Generally speaking, visibility is good in most parts of the Camp Nou with the exception of the upper section. This area is quite far away from the pitch and due to the altitude, in winter you might get a bit cold. In summary, the best seats in the stadium are:

• Premium (category 1) - The most expensive area of the Camp Nou. The price is justified by the view on the pitch: from here you won't miss a single play. It corresponds to the central stands.
• Lateral (category 1) - The areas next to the central stands. The view is almost the same as Premium but the ticket is slightly cheaper.
• Goal 1 and 2 (category 2) - The two areas behind the gates. From here, the sound of the ball hitting the net can be heard perfectly. The Goal 1 and 2 sectors are very popular with families with children.

Barça plays at least 38 La Liga matches. However, the blaugrana are always present in the European cups. With few exceptions, the Culés almost always make it past the round of 16 in the Champions League. In addition to these matches, there are the Copa del Rey matches and, eventually, the final of the Spanish Super Cup.

Can I watch an F.C. Barcelona match at Christmas?

Unfortunately not. Unlike the Premier League, La Liga does not have a boxing day, i.e. the traditional English match day on 26 December. During the 2015/2016 season, the Spanish federation tried to establish something similar although the matches were played just before New Year's Eve (30 December) and before Epiphany (3 January). Unfortunately, the formula was not as successful as expected and was not repeated.

The European Cups and the Copa del Rey are not played at this time of the year either. If you want to see an F.C. match on your trip to Barcelona in December, the only option is to arrive in the Catalan capital before the Christmas break. As usual, the last La Liga matchday is played on the last weekend before the 25th.

Can I watch an FC Barcelona match in the summer?

It depends on which month of the summer you travel to Gaudi's city. La Liga usually starts at the end of August, but if you plan to visit in June or July, you won't see any official matches. In addition to the championship, you can opt for a ticket to the Joan Gamper Trophy. It's a tournament born in 1966 as a tribute to Hans Gamper, the club's founder. Every year, the blaugranas invite a national or international club to Camp Nou.

The Catalan capital enjoys a warm Mediterranean climate. Between June and September, thousands of tourists visit to enjoy both the city's beaches and the coastlines of the nearby Costa Brava and Dorada. If you are planning to visit Barcelona in August, you can take the opportunity to watch a Blaugrana match.

If you want to watch the "hottest" matches, I recommend you check the competition calendar. Generally, the league schedule is drawn in July. This means that you will know well in advance on which weekend, for example, the clásico against Real Madrid or the derby with RCD Espanyol will be played.

On a European level, the blaugranas have a sporting rivalry with AC Milan, Bayern Munich, Chelsea and Manchester United. The calendar of continental competitions is less well known in advance, but with a bit of organisation it will be easy to schedule your trip to coincide with one of these matches.

What happens if there are no matches during my trip to Barcelona?

Don't worry, if you are travelling to Barcelona and there is no match, you will always have the option of getting to know the Camp Nou from the inside, with a visit to the Spotify Camp Nou and the Barça Museum. With this option you can discover the history of the club by visiting the museum, the dressing room or even the press room. At the end of your visit, stay in the stands or on the pitch for as long as you like!

Yes, children pay admission to see the matches at Camp Nou just like adults. Moreover, the price is the same as there is no special rate or promotion for children.

Only in the case of members under 14 years of age and children or grandchildren of adult members enter the Camp Nou free of charge. However, some matches are excluded from this campaign. The derby with Real Madrid, the matches with Atlético Madrid, the Spanish Super Cup and the round of 16, quarter-finals and semi-finals of the Champions League do not provide for this option.

The day of the match is finally here and we must know the most important tips to get to the stadium and not miss any detail. Read on to find out:

When to go to the stadium?

In Spain, it is not necessary to arrive at the stadium too early. Generally, the security checks are quick and you can get to the stands quickly. In any case, I recommend arriving a little earlier to enjoy the atmosphere and perhaps have a snack before entering.

Keep in mind that the home of the Blaugrana is huge and on match days it is advisable to arrive by public transport. Europe's largest stadium is located in Les Corts, a district in the west of the city. Near Camp Nou there are four metro stops: Les Corts, Maria Cristina, Palau Reial (all on line 3), Collblanc and Badal (line 5).

I'm sure this map will help you to find your way around when you arrive in the area.

Is it possible to enter with backpacks or cameras?

For security reasons, it is not possible to enter the Camp Nou with professional cameras or video cameras. As for backpacks, it is generally possible to enter with this accessory, but it will be checked by security guards. Please note that the list of prohibited objects is longer and includes glass objects, torches, tablets and computers, balloons, laser pointers and pyrotechnic objects.

Where to eat before or after the match?

Satisfying your hunger inside the stadium can be quite expensive. In addition, the choice of food is more limited and waiting times are frequent. To avoid all this, you can resort to the bars and restaurants in the vicinity of the Camp Nou. The list below brings together the most recommended ones:

• Can Fusté - A restaurant specialising in market cuisine and seasonal produce. It is located a few metres from the metro stop "Les Corts", line 3 (Gran Via de Carles III).
• Futballarium Barcelona - To get in the mood for the match. It is a typical sports bar with scarves of all the teams hanging from the ceiling. The nearest metro stop is "Badal", line 5 (Carrer de Benavent 7).
• Da Paolo - The ideal choice if you fancy a pizza. It doesn't have a plethora of options, but they do come out of the oven with some real delicacies. You can also opt for pasta, meat and fish dishes. It's just a few metres from Futballarium Barcelona (Avinguda de Madrid 63).
• Frankfurt Pedralbes - It's a bit far from Camp Nou, about 15 minutes walk, but this classic Barcelona bar is worth a visit. Their sandwiches and burgers are popular with students at the nearby university. To get here, just get off at the "Palau Reial" or "Zona Universitària" stops, both on line 3 (Carrer de Jordi Girona 2/4).
• Corte & Brasa - An Argentinian restaurant offering delicious grilled food. The establishment is located at Carrer del Comandant Benítez 20.

The blaugrana team will not disappoint you. If you decided some time ago to buy your tickets to see the Barça stars, which I recommend you do, you should look for the downloaded tickets in your smartphone files to present them at the entrance of the stadium.

I don't have an internet connection in Barcelona, how do I access the tickets?

If you don't have an Internet connection, you can use the one in your hotel or rented flat. If you don't, you can use the Wi-Fi networks in bars and cafés. On Avinguda Diagonal 635, about ten minutes' walk from Camp Nou, there is a Starbucks. It may be a good option for downloading tickets.

Is it possible to park near the Camp Nou?

On match days it is preferable to arrive by public transport, although there are many ways of getting around the city. The fans make it difficult to get around and the authorities often close off several streets around the Camp Nou. If you don't want to give up your car, there are car parks close to the stadium. The list below shows the closest ones:

• Parking Campus Diagonal Nord UPC, the car park of the Polytechnic University of Catalonia. The hourly rate is around €2.5 (Carrer Jordi Girona 29).
• BSM Tanatori Les Corts, the car park of the mortuary. It is about 500 metres from Camp Nou and the hourly rate is around €2 (Avinguda Joan XXIII 25).
• Parking Viajeros, the cheapest option in the city. They offer a daily rate of around €7; the only drawback is the distance from the stadium. To get in front of the Camp Nou entrance you have to walk for 1 km (Carrer Carreras i Candi 65).
• Camp Nou - Parc Científic car park. You will find it behind the university area. They offer a daily rate of about 17 € (Avinguda Doctor Marañón 8).

Is it possible to bring drinks to Camp Nou?

Yes, but on one condition: the bottle must have a maximum of 500 ml and without a cap. For security reasons, no cans or glass objects are allowed inside the stadium. Once inside, you will find vending machines, a bar (La Carpa) and the fast food restaurant Pans & Company.