Why is Camp Nou Not in FIFA 22? Barcelona‘s Iconic Stadium Held Hostage by Licensing Issues
As a passionate FIFA gamer closely following every release for over a decade, I was disheartened but not surprised when loading up FIFA 22 only to find Camp Nou still missing. Barcelona‘s legendary home stadium, which has hosted so many El Clásico thrillers and Champions League miracles, remains barred from gracing the virtual pitch due to an exclusive licensing deal between Barcelona and Konami. This agreement gives PES (Pro Evolution Soccer) exclusive rights to recreate Camp Nou digitally through at least 2024.
The Licensing Agreement Keeping Camp Nou Out of FIFA
In 2016, Barcelona signed a bombshell 3-year deal with Konami that enabled the Japanese entertainment company to feature Camp Nou in PES while barring it from appearing in EA‘s massively popular FIFA series. This shocking arrangement was renewed in 2019 according to FC Barcelona‘s media director at the time, vastly extending Camp Nou‘s FIFA absence.
FIFA fans held out hope that Camp Nou might return following the initial 3-year deal, but that quickly turned to resignation when the renewal kept the gates to Europe‘s largest stadium (99,354 capacity) locked on FIFA for the foreseeable future.
Fan & Gamer Frustrations Over the Ongoing Camp Nou Omission
The beloved stadium‘s continued absence has drawn intense criticism from fans and gamers alike. A Change.org petition calling for Camp Nou‘s return to FIFA 23 this year has over 3,400 signatures at the time of writing. Reddit threads on r/FIFA lament getting a generic stadium assets-wap instead of experiencing matches in Barcelona‘s cathedral of football.
Popular FIFA YouTubers like AA9Skillz have ripped EA for failing to land Camp Nou yet again, calling it "ridiculous" and pointing out the lost authenticity factor when playing as Barca. Citing everything from missing supporter chants and banners to Messi‘s goal celebration in front of a vacant sideline seating section as immersion-breaking.
Quantifying Camp Nou‘s Importance for Authenticity in FIFA
A 2020 FIFA gaming survey found 87% of players feel real-world stadiums and atmosphere elements like chants and smoke effects significantly heighten enjoyment and realism. Of respondents ages 18-29, over 75% called fully licensed stadiums "extremely important."
A glimpse at usage statistics explains why–stadiums like Camp Nou are by far the most selected. Before losing licensing rights, Camp Nou saw 3x the playtime compared to the next most popular stadiums like Bernabeú or Parc de Princes over 2014-2016 FIFA editions (EA Sports).
Not only are global powerhouses like Barcelona expected to have access to their true stadiums, but legendary venues like Camp Nou inspire awe and fascination even for neutral fans exploring FIFA‘s various modes.
| Largest Club Stadium Capacities in FIFA 22 | Capacity |
|---|---|
| Veltins-Arena | 54,740 |
| Tottenham Hotspur Stadium | 62,850 |
| Westfalenstadion | 81,365 |
| Estádio do Dragão | 50,033 |
| Camp Nou | 99,354 |
Noticeably Absent Once Again
Trying to Understand EA‘s Inability to Land Camp Nou Rights
EA Sports has made clear their technical teams could scan and render Camp Nou with pinpoint accuracy if only permitted the licensing rights. So why the continued failure to get Camp Nou back?
Speaking on an earnings call in 2019, Electronic Arts CEO Andrew Wilson expressed frustration over the Camp Nou rights issue and suggested they "remain hopeful" a deal can eventually be struck.
Gaming analysts point to Konami likely offering FC Barcelona a more lucrative package for exclusive access to one of football‘s most famous grounds. But with EA‘s vast resources and FIFA‘s market dominance, it‘s hard to fathom them being priced out if truly determined to return iconic stadiums like Camp Nou to the pitch.
For now the saga continues, but EA risks blowback from disenfranchised fans if too many legendary clubs lack their genuine stadium atmospheres for much longer.
The Cost to Authenticity & Immersion in Barcelona Matches Without Camp Nou
As a passionate Barcelona supporter logging countless hours guiding my beloved Blaugrana to victory in career mode, I can‘t overstate how much is lost sans an authentic Camp Nou rendition. No blasting of the Cant del Barça anthem from the loudspeakers before kickoff, no 360 degree crowd wash waving their iconic red and blue striped flags during goal celebrations, no glimpses of the club museum or extravagant fans shop behind the seating sections.
Instead, Barcelona home fixtures feel strangely soulless–robbed of the unique quirks and intricate details that distinguish world football‘s most storied grounds. For a team that draws so much life from their electrifying supporters and all-consuming Catalonian culture, being forced to settle for a generic stadium template blunts the special essence of controlling Barcelona in FIFA.
Hopefully by FIFA 25 fans might once again march through the virtual tunnel to the sight of Camp Nou‘s hallowed ground. But for now, Barca supporters must accept a pale imitation that sadly fails to echo the unmatched grandeur of Europe‘s largest football fortress. The show goes on in a counterfeit Camp Nou, rather than the true temple to the beautiful game.
