Soccer
Futbol Club Barcelona. Founded in 1899, FC Barcelona won its third European Championship in 2009, the Liga championship, and its 27th Copa del Rey (King's Cup)—Spain's first-ever triplete—and did it again in 2015. Even more impressive was its razzle-dazzle style of soccer, rarely seen in the age of cynical defensive lockdowns and muscular British-style play. Barça, as the club is known, is Real Madrid's nemesis (and vice versa) and a sociological and historical phenomenon of deep significance in Catalonia. Ticket windows at Access 14 to the Camp Nou stadium are open Monday–Thursday 9–5, Friday 9–2:30, and Saturday 9–1:30 (if there's a match at home). You can also buy tickets online through the FC Barcelona website, or from Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.es) or Entradas (www.entradas.es). Tours of the stadium and museum can also be organized through the FC Barcelona website. Camp Nou, Aristides Maillol 12, Les Corts, Barcelona, Catalonia, 08028. 902/189900; www.fcbarcelona.com.
RCD Espanyol. Things improved for this soccer team when the club moved from a tiny stadium to a new state-of-the-art 40,500-seat home base in Cornellà. Espanyol still struggles to survive in the League First Division but has loyal fans. Purchase tickets online at the RCD Espanyol website. Take the Metro Line 5 from Plaça Catalunya to Cornellà Centre or the FCG L8 suburban train from Plaça Espanya to Cornellà-Riera; the stadium is a short walk from either. RCDE Stadium, Av. Baix Llobregat 100, Cornellà de Llobregat, Barcelona, Catalonia, 08940. 932/927700; www.rcdespanyol.com.
