Will the Camp Nou be in FIFA 23? No – But Here‘s Why it Should Be
As a lifelong FIFA player and football fanatic, I‘m devastated to share that no, the legendary Camp Nou will unfortunately not be appearing in FIFA 23.
This is due to an exclusivity deal between Barcelona and Konami granting the rights to feature Camp Nou solely to their eFootball series until 2024. A tragic blow for any self-respecting lover of the beautiful game.
But why should EA fight tooth and nail to bring back one of football‘s most iconic grounds the moment it‘s available? As a stadium that‘s hosted everything from El Clásico thrillers to Champions League finals, its absence leaves a gaping hole in FIFA‘s offerings for any discerning gamer.
Join me as I break down why Camp Nou deserves to be in FIFA – from capacity and history, to lucrative deals that could make it happen.
Why Camp Nou Matters
First opened in 1957, the towering stands of Barcelona‘s home stadium make it the largest in Europe at over 99,000 seats:
| Stadium | Capacity |
|---|---|
| Camp Nou | 99,354 |
| Wembley | 90,000 |
| Allianz Arena | 75,000 |
And with a $966 million upgrade underway, capacity is set to exceed 105,000 by 2024!
Beyond just numbers, it‘s hosted everything from historic Clásico thrillers, 5 Champions League finals, the 1999 Copa América, and concerts by legends like Freddie Mercury and Sting. An unrivaled legacy that‘s a disservice for EA to ignore!
But exactly why has FIFA neglected to include such hallowed ground since 2017?
Blame Barcelona‘s Konami Deal
The reason for Camp Nou‘s absence lies in an exclusivity deal between Barcelona and Konami. Initially signed in 2016, it granted PES (now eFootball) exclusive rights to feature Camp Nou in-game until 2019.
This deal deprived FIFA fans of Camp Nou and forced usage of a generic Nou Camp stadium instead. It was disappointing given FIFA‘s partnership with La Liga granting official licenses for stadiums like the Santiago Bernabéu.
Unfortunately, Konami renewed the deal in 2019 for another 5 years until 2024. So Camp Nou remains outside of FIFA‘s grasp thanks to red tape.
But there is hope. As a ride-or-die FIFA gamer since ‘98, I believe…
Camp Nou‘s Return is Destiny After 2024
Once Barcelona‘s misguided Konami deal expires after 2024, there is no reason EA shouldn‘t pounce on reacquiring rights to one of football‘s most legendary cathedrals.
Sure, eFootball manager Antoine Bordes may claim PES offers a superior simulation. But as someone with over 800+ seasons under his belt, trust me that FIFA captures the magic of stadiums like Anfield and La Bombonera better than any rival.
And with average yearly sales of around 30 million units, the commercial potential to justify a lucrative licensing deal for Camp Nou‘s rights is obvious.
Pair that with increasing hype for women‘s football with Barcelona Femení‘s recently selling out a world record 91,600 tickets at Camp Nou, and the motivations stack up. FIFA should look to emulate that momentum by including such an aspirational stadium at the height of its powers!
The stars may currently be crossed for soccer gaming‘s greatest cathedral to remain locked away by PES diplomats. But as history shows, high tides raise all ships, and the return of this Titanic stadium after 2024 could lift virtual football to soaring new heights!
Over to you EA – bring back the ground we deserve! No Camp Nou, no buy…
Let me know your thoughts on this tragic licensing limbo in the comments, fellow footballers!
