This archive report was first published on 21 April 2020.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to ravage Spain, Barcelona has taken a bold step to contribute to the global fight against the virus. The club has decided to sell the naming rights to their iconic Camp Nou stadium for the first time in their history, with the income generated going towards research projects and other initiatives aimed at combating the effects of COVID-19.
According to a statement released by the club on Tuesday, the process of finding a buyer will begin in the next few weeks. The stadium will retain its name, 'Camp Nou', while also featuring the new sponsor's branding. This move is a significant departure from the club's previous practice of advertising the Unicef children's charity for free on their shirts.
Spain has been one of the worst-hit countries by the coronavirus pandemic, with over 21,000 confirmed deaths as of Tuesday. In response to this crisis, Barcelona's vice-president, Jordi Cardoner, emphasized the club's commitment to playing a meaningful role in the global response to the pandemic. "Being the top sporting entity in the world means we take on this challenge as fully as we can," he said. "If we can serve as inspiration for other organisations involved in the battle, perhaps we can create a wave of hope for millions of people around the world who are suffering due to this pandemic."
