FC Barcelona is looking to wrap up its new arena by 2028, and it’s exploring exciting partnerships as the club keeps an eye on the potential for the NBA to expand into Europe.
Next season is shaping up to be exciting for Spanish basketball fans, as four teams will be representing the country in the EuroLeague: Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, Valencia Basket, and Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz. Valencia is particularly eager to start their campaign in the brand-new Roig Arena come September, which promises to be a fantastic venue. Real Madrid will be playing their games in the sleek Movistar Arena, while Baskonia will attract crowds to the impressive 15,000-seat Fernando Buesa Arena. It’s going to be a thrilling season ahead!
In contrast, Barcelona currently plays at the historic Palau Blaugrana, a venue that has roots going back to 1971 and received renovations in 1994 and 2016. Even with its rich history, the arena only seats 7,585 fans, which is something the club is eager to change with a bigger, more modern facility.
Club president Joan Laporta recently spoke to Mundo Deportivo about the future of the Palau Blaugrana and shared when fans might catch a glimpse of the new design. “In the second quarter of next year, we’ll be revealing the preliminary project,” stated Laporta. He also mentioned that there are various factors to consider. “I was in a meeting about this last night. There are rumors of an NBA expansion into Europe, and if that materializes, the standards for arenas might change.”
He added, “We’re taking that into account. For now, we plan to have the new Palau Blaugrana completed by early 2028.”
There’s been talk about possibly bringing in a foreign investor to help fund the project in exchange for shared ownership and operational control. Laporta clarified their stance, saying, “We’ve received numerous offers from reputable American companies with compelling proposals, but we’re not looking to share ownership. We’re open to discussing partnerships for event operations, like concerts, though.”
Laporta emphasized, “Many companies have approached us and continue to do so. If the NBA does expand into Europe, our arena will need to be up to their standards.”
He also hinted at a potential partnership with NBA Europe, confirming that discussions are progressing. “Yes, and it’s quite advanced,” he said. “I can’t share all the details just yet, but there are various options on the table. There’s a mutual understanding with the EuroLeague, and the NBA has been in touch with FIBA as well. Teams like ours are high on their list of interests. Right now, we are listening and weighing our options.”
The idea of the NBA making its way into Europe, led by Commissioner Adam Silver, has the potential to transform European basketball—not just by influencing how arenas are built, but also by reshaping the entire landscape of the sport across the continent.
