AS: Barcelona to Seek €500 Million Financing Increase at September Members' Assembly for Camp Nou Construction

According to AS, FC Barcelona will hold its members' representative assembly on September 19. One of the most important items on the agenda will be the request to increase the financing limit for the Espai Barça project by around €500 million, in order to complete the works on Spotify Camp Nou, the new Palau Blaugrana arena and the surrounding areas.

Barcelona's board of directors held its first regular meeting after the summer break this afternoon local time, with one of the key tasks being to determine the date of the next members' representative assembly. The meeting was ultimately scheduled for September 19, the same day Barcelona will play Sevilla away at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán Stadium.

Following recent practice, this members' representative assembly will once again be held online, with the assembly platform set up at the 1899 Auditorium inside the Spotify Camp Nou facilities. The specific agenda has not yet been officially announced, but the most important item will undoubtedly be the request for an additional approximately €500 million in financing for the Espai Barça project. The funds will be used to complete the works on Spotify Camp Nou, the new Palau Blaugrana arena and related surrounding areas.

Because Barcelona needs approval from its members in order to seek additional funding from Goldman Sachs, the club moved forward with the organization of the members' representative assembly. Regarding this issue, Barcelona had previously considered holding a separate extraordinary members' assembly, but ultimately decided to combine the two meetings. The representatives will also vote on the financial settlement for the previous fiscal year. Barcelona's ordinary operating results will again show a profit, while the club's total revenue has already surpassed €1 billion.

This figure is mainly due to increased stadium operation revenue. Although some Barcelona matches in the first half of the year were played at the Johan Cruyff Stadium and the Olympic Stadium, and some were held at Spotify Camp Nou with a capacity of 42,000 spectators at the time, stadium-related revenue still increased. In addition, higher sponsorship income and a record turnover generated by the club's BLM company through merchandise sales also helped Barcelona achieve revenue of more than €1 billion.

The members' representatives will also need to approve the agreement reached between Barcelona and Ohana Development. The UAE-based company will use the Barcelona brand through a luxury residential project, while Barcelona will receive around €10 million in annual revenue.

Meanwhile, the assembly will also need to approve Barcelona's renewed sponsorship agreement with Spotify. Finally, the members' representatives will need to approve the appointment of Rafa Yuste, Josep Cubells, Alfons Castro, Josep Ignasi Macià, Àngel Riudalbas, Joan Soler and Sisco Puyol as directors. These individuals will continue in their roles during the club's election period and will be responsible for Barcelona's daily management.