Camp Nou could break new attendance record as ‘ambitious’ 2035 final bid lined up

Barcelona's revamped Spotify Camp Nou could host a record-breaking Rugby World Cup final in 2035 if Spain's ambitious bid to stage the tournament is successful.

The Spanish Rugby Federation (RFER) has outlined its proposed venues, placing Camp Nou at the centre of plans to attract more than 100,000 spectators for the showpiece match.

The stadium's redevelopment is expected to take its capacity to approximately 105,000 when fully completed. 

Spain is competing with Japan and a joint South American bid led by Argentina to host the men's tournament, with the Argentine proposal also involving Brazil, Chile and Uruguay.

World Rugby is scheduled to identify its preferred host in May 2027 before making the formal appointment in November of that year. 

Camp Nou lined up for historic Rugby World Cup final

The RFER has initially proposed 14 stadiums for the tournament, with that number expected to be reduced to nine or 10 if Spain wins hosting rights.

The shortlist includes some of the country's biggest football grounds, including Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu, Atletico Madrid's Riyadh Air Metropolitano and Valencia's future Nou Mestalla. 

Athletic Club's San Mames, Estadio de La Cartuja in Seville and Anoeta in San Sebastian are also among the proposed venues. 

Camp Nou, however, offers the opportunity to set a new benchmark for attendance at a Rugby World Cup final.

The stadium already holds the record for the highest attendance at a club rugby match, having welcomed 99,124 spectators for the 2016 French Top 14 final between Racing 92 and Toulon.

Spain's rugby authorities believe the expanded venue could take that record to a new level, with the possibility of the first Rugby World Cup final to attract more than 100,000 fans.

Spain hopes to use 2030 World Cup infrastructure

The Spanish bid, supported by LaLiga, the Spanish Football Federation and the national government, is built around five proposed host clusters: the Basque Country, Catalonia, Madrid, Valencia and Andalusia.

Organisers intend to capitalise on the transport links, security arrangements and event-management experience developed for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which Spain will co-host with Portugal and Morocco.

The RFER has also set out an ambition to deliver what it describes as the most commercially successful Rugby World Cup ever, with projected ticket sales exceeding three million for the first time. 

Its wider strategy includes growing participation in rugby across Spain and strengthening the national team ahead of the tournament.

Spanish Rugby Federation president Juan Carlos Martin Sanchez, known as Hansen, said: “World Rugby has established this tournament as the pinnacle of our sport, and it is a great honour for Spain to bid to host it.”

He added that the country's commitment to rugby could help make the tournament “a turning point in the global growth of the sport”.

FGG Says: Camp Nou could provide a spectacular Rugby World Cup final

Camp Nou's proposed role highlights how Barcelona's redevelopment could extend the stadium's significance beyond football. Its capacity and experience of hosting a major rugby final make it a compelling option for Spain's bid.

However, the record-breaking attendance remains a possibility rather than a confirmed outcome. Spain must first secure hosting rights, while Camp Nou's redevelopment must be completed before its full capacity can be realised.

If the bid succeeds and the stadium is ready, Barcelona could provide a memorable setting for the 2035 final and potentially set a new attendance record for rugby's biggest match.