Barcelona vs Real Madrid: Could May’s El Clasico Be Played at Wembley?

In a surprising turn of events, the iconic El Clasico clash between Barcelona and Real Madrid, scheduled for 11 May 2025, could take place at Wembley Stadium. With Barcelona’s temporary home, Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, facing availability issues and Camp Nou still under renovation, the club is exploring alternative venues for their penultimate La Liga home game.

Why Is Barcelona Facing a Venue Crisis?

Barcelona has been using the Lluís Companys Stadium since 2023 due to ongoing renovations at Camp Nou. While the team planned to return to their historic home by the end of 2024, construction delays have pushed the timeline further, with all work now expected to finish in mid-2026.

Adding to their challenges, Barcelona’s contract for the Montjuïc-based stadium expires in April 2025. Unfortunately, renewing the agreement is complicated by pre-scheduled events, including Rolling Stones concerts on 10 and 15 May.

The club also faces venue concerns for their final La Liga home match against Villarreal on 18 May and potential Champions League semi-final games, should they qualify.

Is Wembley a Serious Option for El Clasico?

Reports suggest Barcelona’s board is considering Wembley Stadium as a “wild card” option for hosting El Clasico. Holding the high-profile La Liga match in London would undoubtedly generate global attention and serve as a bold marketing move for both Barcelona and La Liga, which is eager to rival the Premier League in international popularity.

While the idea of hosting El Clasico overseas isn’t new—La Liga previously explored hosting matches in Miami—such plans have faced resistance. However, Wembley has experience hosting non-local sporting events, such as NFL games, making it a viable candidate.

Would you like to see El Clasico played at Wembley, or should the game stay on Spanish soil? Share your thoughts below!

Fan Backlash: Is Barcelona Losing Its Identity?

Hosting a match as significant as El Clasico in a foreign country may alienate Barcelona’s local fanbase. Recent decisions by the club have already led to discontent among fans, with Espai d’Animacio, a group of supporters, accusing the board of prioritizing business over tradition.

In a joint statement, fan groups criticized the club for barring supporters from attending games due to unpaid fines, exorbitant ticket prices, and marketing-focused changes that harm the team’s identity.

“Little by little, [members] are losing the weight they have historically had,” they said.

This decision could further fuel concerns that Barcelona is prioritizing tourism and revenue over its loyal fanbase.

Broader Implications for La Liga

Should Wembley host the May 2025 El Clasico, it could mark a turning point for Spanish football’s globalization strategy. While pre-season and Supercopa de España matches have been held overseas, playing a competitive La Liga fixture abroad would set a new precedent.

La Liga is keen to grow its global audience, and hosting El Clasico on foreign soil could help achieve that. However, this decision may come at the cost of alienating traditional match-going fans.

Would taking El Clasico to London strengthen La Liga’s global presence, or does it risk harming the league’s integrity? Let us know your opinion in the comments!

Have Your Say!

What do you think about El Clasico potentially being played at Wembley? Should Barcelona explore such a bold move, or is it essential to preserve the tradition of hosting the match in Spain? Comment below to join the conversation!