Although the 2024-25 season has not yet come to an end, at FC Barcelona they are already fine-tuning details for the 2025-26 season. One of the issues that is beginning to take shape is the dispute of the Joan Gamper Trophy, the traditional preseason friendly held since 1966 in homage to the club's founder, Joan Gamper, who presided over it in various periods. This match usually takes place against an international opponent and serves to officially present the Barça squad that will face the new campaign.
According to the newspaper 'SPORT', the Barça team is already organizing the necessary arrangements for the celebration of a new edition of the Gamper. In principle, the dispute of this commitment would be scheduled for the weekend of August 9 and 10, shortly before the start of LaLiga EA Sports 2025-26.
The big question: Where will the Gamper be played?
One of the main questions is the scenario in which the match will be played. The club's initial intention was to play the Gamper at the Spotify Camp Nou, the home par excellence of the Barça team. However, although the works are progressing at a good pace, there is no full certainty that the stadium will be completely ready —neither structurally nor in terms of permits— for that date. The reopening of the azulgrana coliseum points more to the month of September.
Montjuïc, ruled out due to the Blackpink concert
Given the possible impossibility of using the Spotify Camp Nou, the club will have to look for an alternative venue. However, the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, which hosted the 2023 and 2024 editions, is also ruled out: that same weekend the venue is reserved for a concert by the K-POP group Blackpink (08/09/2025).
History of alternative venues for the Joan Gamper Trophy
The Joan Gamper Trophy, although historically linked to the Camp Nou, has had to be played in other stadiums on specific occasions:
- 1990 – Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium | FC Barcelona 3-1 RSC Anderlecht
- 1996 – Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium | FC Barcelona 2-1 Inter Milan
- 2021 – Johan Cruyff Stadium | FC Barcelona 3-0 Juventus
- 2023 – Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium | FC Barcelona 4-2 Tottenham Hotspur
- 2024 – Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium | AS Monaco 3-0 FC Barcelona
A postponed edition?
Given all these complications, the club does not rule out the option of postponing the Joan Gamper Trophy. According to 'SPORT', the option of celebrating it during an international break is being considered, although this scenario does not seem the most realistic due to the tight schedule that FC Barcelona will face in the 2025-26 season.