Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium
From International Exhibition to Olympic inauguration stage
We’re standing at the venue of the most important sporting event in Barcelona’s history. Built in 1929 for the Barcelona International Exhibition, the Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium was completely renovated to host the 1992 Olympic Games.
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The most famous and resounding “Hola” in history
On July 25, 1992, from its central track, Barcelona greeted the world with a resounding “Hola,” etched into the memory of everyone who witnessed the opening ceremony of the XXV Olympiad. But the stadium’s story dates back to 1929, when architect Pere Domènech i Roura built it for the International Exhibition. It later fell into disuse until Barcelona was chosen as the Olympic host city, prompting a renovation by architects Gregotti, Correa, Milà, Margarit, and Buixadé.
The stadium was completely transformed, preserving only the façade and Pau Gargallo’s two equestrian sculptures. The interior was gutted, the track lowered, and new grandstands built to seat 56,000 spectators. This new stadium hosted the opening and closing ceremonies and the athletics competitions of the 1992 Games.
A temporary football stadium and venue for major events
From 1997 to 2009, it served as the home ground for RCD Espanyol. In the 2024–2025 and 2025–2026 seasons, it has also become FC Barcelona’s temporary home during Camp Nou renovations.
In 2010, it hosted the 20th European Athletics Championships, prompting another upgrade that increased its capacity to 60,000. Today, it’s Barcelona’s largest concert venue and continues to host top-tier sports events.
How to get to the Olympic Stadium?
Take the Red Route of the Barcelona Tourist Bus to the Olympic Ring stop—just steps from the stadium entrance.
For the curious
- The stone excavated to lower the stadium’s level was of such high quality that it was used in the construction of the Sagrada Família.
- A walk around the stadium’s exterior reveals the original cauldron that held the Olympic flame.
- In 2001, the stadium was named Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium, in tribute to the President of the Generalitat of Catalonia during the Civil War.
