In recent years, FC Barcelona have faced a variety of challenges, most of which have centered around the sporting and financial aspects of the club. However, another issue that has increasingly drawn attention is the declining participation and energy of fans inside the stadium.
This concern became particularly evident during the recent Champions League clash against Paris Saint-Germain at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, [where around 3,000 visiting supporters were more vocal than nearly 47,000 Barcelona fans](https://semprebarca.com/unacceptable-barcelona-supporters-rage-at-laporta-after-flat-champions-league-atmosphere-at-montjuic/). The incident reignited discussions within the club about how to strengthen fan engagement on matchdays.
One of the key reasons identified for the subdued atmosphere has been the closure of the Espacio de Animación (Fan Section) in November 2024. The section was disbanded after the groups managing it refused to pay accumulated fines amounting to 21,000 euros.
Ahead of the team’s return to the Spotify Camp Nou, Barcelona launched a participatory process to determine how the new Espacio de Animación should operate.
Fifteen meetings were held with interested groups, law enforcement, legal experts, and specialists in fan culture and stadium atmosphere. Some representatives from the previous fan section were also involved in these discussions.
During the club’s recent Assembly, according to [Diario AS](https://as.com/futbol/primera/el-barca-controlara-su-animacion-f202510-n/), Institutional Vice President Elena Fort outlined the plans for the revamped fan section, which will now be entirely under the club’s control.
She emphasized that external groups or organizations will not be allowed to influence its operations. Instead, Barcelona itself will create, organize, and manage the new space.
According to Fort, the aim is to build a section that feels innovative, spontaneous, authentic, and inclusive. The club intends to encourage the use of flags and visual displays while prohibiting chants that promote violence or go against its values.
To encourage stronger participation, the club plans to offer reduced ticket prices. However, several eligibility requirements will apply. Applicants must be club members between 18 and 25 years old, be up to date with payments, and have no record of disciplinary or violence-related sanctions. Preference will be given to long-standing members who have been on the season ticket waiting list for at least five years.
Additionally, all members joining the section will be required to pass a security screening conducted by the Mossos d’Esquadra in collaboration with the club’s security department. They must also commit to attending at least 80 percent of home matches throughout the season.
The new Espacio de Animación will have a capacity of 1,247 seats and will be located at the Camp Nou’s “Gol 1957” area, named in tribute to the year the stadium was built. Although some assembly members expressed concern about the limited size of the section, Fort explained that expansion was not feasible due to the large number of existing season ticket holders and logistical constraints in the stands.
With these measures, Barcelona hope to bring back the vibrant and unified atmosphere that has long defined their home matches, ensuring that fan energy once again becomes a defining feature of the club’s identity.