Together with the town-planning operation resulting from the International Exhibition Barcelona 1929, the City Council decided to build a big sporting venue for the city which could convince the International Olympic Committee members, and in particular, Baron Pierre de Coubertin, that Barcelona could successfully organise the Olympic Games. That is how the Montjuïc Stadium, planned by Pere Doménech i Roura, was born. It has been the sporting symbol of Barcelona for decades and, after years of being forgotten and neglected, it was restored and became the nerve centre of the 1992 Olympic Games.
In the 1980s, the Barcelona 1992 Organising Committee organised an international architecture tender to carry out the stadium's restoration. The architecture firm Coorea-Milà-Margarit was chosen to undertake the project.
Buixadé was chosen to design the master plan for Montjuïc, which included the Stadium's restoration. The Italian architect Vittorio Gregotti also participated, together with other Catalan architects.
Montjuïc was completely stripped down and from its original structure only the main facade was preserved. The capacity was increased to 45,000 spectators and around the stadium a ring of sporting venues was built. These venues made it possible for the Barcelona Olympic Games to be a success.
The cost of the works was 8.5 billion pesetas as the most modern facilities were installed in the stadium, making it possible for the stadium to host international athletics events and other sports events since.
Main Events
This is the list of main events that have taken place in the stadium in the last few years:
1989
Athletics World Cup
LXIX Spanish Athletics Championships
1991
LXXI Spanish Athletics Championships
IAAF Grand Prix Final
European Cup (1st Division)
1992
lympic
and Paralympic Games
1993
American Bowl (American Football)
1994
American Bowl (American Football)
1996
Under 21 European Football Championships
1997
World Bowl (American Football)
2000
LXXX Spanish Athletics Championships
IAAF Permit Meeting
2002
National Football Teams (Spain-Portugal)
MTV
Awards Party
IV
Female Rugby World Cup
2003
Bruce Springsteen Concert
Harley
Davidson Open Road Tour
Doctor
Music Day
Rolling Stones Concert
X Police & Firefighters World Championships
2004
Spanish Football Copa del Rey (King's Cup)
International Football (Spain-Peru)
2008
Míting Internacional d´Atletisme Ciutat de Barcelona
Futbol: RCD Espanyol de Barcelona
Next events
2009
MÍTIN
INTERNACIONAL DE ATLETISMO CIUTAT DE BARCELONA
Campeonato
de España absoluto
2010
MÍTIN
INTERNACIONAL DE ATLETISMO CIUTAT DE BARCELONA
Characteristics
The Olympic Stadium - officially named "Estadi Olímpic de Montjuïc Lluís Companys" is located on the mountain of the Montjuïc Park, in Barcelona.
The Stadium capacities and dimensions are:
Athletic track 10 lanes (400m)
Field: 107x70 m
Spectator capacity:
Football matches: 56.000 spectator seats.
European Athletics Championship: 32.000 spectator seats (excl. Press, TV, VIP, Athletes and Officials stands)
Concerts: 70.000 spectators
Total area: 17.000 m2
Following additional facilities are within the stadium complex:
Indoor warm up track (synthetic sportflex surface)
Changing rooms
Additional offices for different uses
Press conference room for 180 people (near the finish line)
20 radio booths
Reserved VIPs area, two offices and separate access for dedicated vehicles
Restaurant and catering areas
Giant video screen
9x14 m alphanumerical scoreboard
Closed TV circuit
Parking for 3,155 vehicles around the Olympic Stadium and for a further 5,083 vehicles in nearby areas. There are also available 170 parking spaces for buses and 40 for lorries beside the Stadium.
First Aid rooms
Distances from:
Airport: 14 km (approx. 20 minutes by car).
Barcelona Trade Fair: 1 km
Barcelona Harbour: 3 km
Plaza de España: 15 minutes (on foot).
Sants Station (Main train station of Barcelona): 30 minutes (on foot).
Training: Can Drago Sports Complex: 17,5 km
Training Mar Bella Municipal Sports Complex: 8,5 km
Warm-up: Municipal Sports Complex - Parc del Migdia: 0,2 km
