Camp Nou to host Catalans Dragons vs. Wigan Warriors Super League game
It will be the first ever rugby league match at FC Barcelona’s stadium
FC Barcelona’s iconic Camp Nou stadium will add a new chapter to its history next year when rugby league is hosted there for the first time.
The Super League round 16 clash between the Catalans Dragons and Wigan Warriors will take place at the 99,354-seater stadium on Saturday 18 May 2019 (3.30pm kick-off).
Based in the French city of Perpignan, 120 miles from Barcelona, the Dragons are the Challenge Cup holders while the Warriors are the reigning Super League champions.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sky Sports reports that the Dragons’s victory in the Challenge Cup saw them receive a formal invitation from FC Barcelona to play the fixture in Spain.
Catalans chairman Bernard Guasch said: “I think we do not realise yet the impact of this event for our club, our competition and our sport.
“The prospect of playing a game in one of the biggest stadiums in the world is exceptional and I would like to thank [Barcelona president] Josep Maria Bartomeu for giving us this opportunity.”
Warriors chairman Ian Lenagan says it will be an historic occasion for rugby league. He told Wigan Today: “This is landmark moment in Super League’s history, and we are extremely proud to play our part in making history.
“Having European rugby league’s two current title holders face each other in the iconic surroundings of the Camp Nou is a mouth-watering prospect and is one that I truly believe will be an historic occasion for the sport.
“It’s a fantastic concept that will capture the imagination of sports fans across the continent of Europe, and I believe it will provide a shot in the arm for the new-era of Super League by underlining the competition’s ambition.
“I’m sure that the Wigan fans, who are famed for their loyal support as shown when a huge army of supporters travelled to Sydney for the World Club Challenge game with Sydney Roosters in 2014 and our recent New South Wales Tour in 2018, will travel in large numbers for this game.”
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Why Bhutan hopes tourists will put a smile back on its face
Under The Radar The 'kingdom of happiness' is facing economic problems and unprecedented emigration
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
7 beautiful towns to visit in Switzerland during the holidays
The Week Recommends Find bliss in these charming Swiss locales that blend the traditional with the modern
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
The Week contest: Werewolf bill
Puzzles and Quizzes
By The Week US Published
-
What can England learn from Spain's sporting prowess?
Today's Big Question Long-term investment in coaching young talent brings Spanish success at Euros and Wimbledon
By Julia O'Driscoll, The Week UK Published
-
The European Super League: a 90th-minute reprieve?
Why everyone's talking about A European court ruling has potentially breathed new life into the breakaway football league
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
Luis Rubiales and Spanish football’s MeToo moment
Talking Point Furore over Spanish FA president’s ‘non-consensual’ kiss overshadows World Cup triumph
By Harriet Marsden Published
-
Spain beats England 1-0 to win its first Women's World Cup
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Mason Greenwood: footballer arrested on suspicion of rape and assault
Speed Read Man Utd confirm the striker will not train or play until further notice
By The Week Staff Published
-
Handball: swapping bikini bottoms for tight pants
Speed Read Women competitors will be required to ‘wear short tight pants with a close fit’
By The Week Staff Published
-
Cristiano Ronaldo’s second coming
Speed Read Last week, Manchester United re-signed the forward on a two-year deal thought to be worth more than £400,000 a week
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
‘Catastrophic’: Rugby League World Cup rocked by Australia and New Zealand withdrawal
Why Everyone’s Talking About Organisers of this year’s event in England now have a huge decision to make
By The Week Staff Published