Barcelona to sell Camp Nou title rights to raise money for fight against coronavirus

The biggest stadium in Europe has never had a sponsor since it opened in 1957

File photo of the Camp Nou. Barcelona plan to sell the title rights to their storied stadium for one year in an effort to raise money for the fight against the coronavirus. PA

Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona has never had a sponsor since it opened in 1957. EPA

Barcelona had earlier planned to sell Camp Nou's title rights for the first time in the 2023-24 season. AP

Lionel Messi and Barcelona's legendary status make Camp Nou one of the biggest jewels in the sporting world. AFP

Camp Nou prior to a Copa del Rey match between Barcelona and Leganes in January. AP

A picture of Lionel Messi is reflected in the Barcelona emblem outside the Camp Nou. Reuters

The empty entrance to the Camp Nou in Barcelona. AFP

Barcelona's Lionel Messi celebrates scoring against Real Sociedad at the Camp Nou. Reuters

Barcelona's Antoine Griezmann reacts after missing an opportunity against Getafe at the Camp Nou in February. AFP

Antoine Griezmann after scoring against Getafe at Camp Nou in February. Getty Images

File photo of Barcelona's Luis Suarez scoring against Real Madrid at the Camp Nou in 2018. AFP

Barcelona will sell the title rights to their renowned stadium for one year in an effort to raise money for the fight against coronavirus.

The Spanish club’s executive board said on Tuesday they will donate the entire fee raised by selling the title rights of Camp Nou – the biggest stadium in Europe with more than 99,000 seats. It has never had a sponsor since it opened in 1957.

"We want to send a universal message: for the first time someone will have the opportunity to put their name on Camp Nou and the revenues will go to all of humanity, not just Barca," club vice president Jordi Cardoner told the Associated Press.

“The initiative arose in an emergency situation. We think that we have to have a very quick response, putting our crown jewel at the service of the fight.”

The club had planned to wait to sell the stadium’s title rights for the first time in the 2023-24 season. At that time, the club hoped to bring in € 300 million (Dh1.1billion) paid up front for a 25-year contract to pay for renovations.

Cardoner, who has recovered after contracting the virus, said the board came up with the charity sale plan independent of the long-term deal. However, he said that if a sponsor wanted to include it in the long-term deal, the club would consider it.

Cardoner said Barcelona wants to listen to offers from companies and private foundations and will consider opening it up to a group of interested sponsors who could team up and hopefully provide even more funds to help in the fight against the pandemic.

He did not give any estimate on how much the foundation hopes to earn from this “one-shot” sale. But given the greatness of Lionel Messi and the millions of spectators who tune in each week to watch Barcelona’s games, Camp Nou is one of the most coveted venues in sports.

“Camp Nou is sending out an S.O.S.,” Cardoner said. “We are open to everything. We want to maximise the economic participation and to ensure that the partners share our same social values.”