The Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys and the Palau Sant Jordi proved to be essential venues for major national and international tours last year, including those by the likes of Coldplay, Bruce Springsteen, Harry Styles, Madonna, The Weeknd, Beyoncé and many other artists
Without counting the matches by FC Barcelona, spectator numbers topped 1.5 million, doubling the figure for 2022
The complex consolidated a varied programme catering for all types of audiences: music, sport, social and family events
Some 30% of concertgoers came from outside Catalonia, confirming the pulling power of the venue and the impact of its activity in Barcelona
Depeche Mode, Bruce Springsteen, Rammstein, Estopa, Maná, Simple Plan, Laura Pausini and Bad Gyal are just some of the artists confirmed for 2024, a year when the complex will continue to host FC Barcelona matches and other sports events such as the Barcelona Universae Indoor Trial and the Women’s Indoor Trial Trophy
The Anella Olímpica (Olympic Ring) closed out 2023 with record figures. The Palau Sant Jordi, the Sant Jordi Club and the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys welcomed over 2.1 million visitors over the last 12 months, tripling the figure for 2022. Activity at the complex has also increased, with 167 events organised there, up by 23% compared to the previous year. These figures reflect the pulling power of the Palau Sant Jordi and the Estadi Olímpic, their positioning on international circuits, the diversity and high quality of their programmes and their accumulated expertise in organising events.
Concerts were the most common events, accounting for 65% of the programme. Work has also continued to maintain a broad programme of sports, social, family and corporate events.
The Palau Sant Jordi and the Sant Jordi Club were the venues with the most extensive programmes, with 135 events and over a million visitors. For its part, the Estadi Olímpic welcomed 1,091,300 visitors by hosting 9 concerts and 15 football matches.
The growth in visitors in 2023 set a new record, even disregarding the activity of FC Barcelona. Without counting match attendances, spectator and audience numbers topped 1.5 million, doubling the figure for 2022.
A varied music programme for all audiences and open to all styles
The complex broke records for attendances and the number of concerts held there in 2023. A total of 1.3 million people enjoyed the 110 music shows held there. Madonna, Elton John, The Who, Iron Maiden and Blink 182 were just some of the international artists to perform there.
The nine concerts held at the Estadi Olímpic last year will also go down in history, drawing 490,000 spectators. The two concerts by Bruce Springsteen, the four by Coldplay (a figure never achieved before) plus those by Beyoncé, Harry Styles and The Weeknd highlight the potential of the Estadi Olímpic as an ideal venue for big world tours.
Besides major international events, the programme reflected the diversity of audiences that the Anella Olímpica is able to bring together. National artists with long careers behind them performed in the complex, including Joaquín Sabina, Alejandro Sanz, Miguel Ríos and Hombres G, as did new figures with young fan bases, such as Aitana and Quevedo.
Last year was also a year when urban sounds arrived in force at the Anella, with as many as 17 artists from this genre represented by the likes of Duki, Jay Wheeler, Bad Gyal and Rauw Alejandro.
The complex also provided a stage for Catalan music, with classic artists such as Electrica Dharma, established groups like La Pegatina and emerging urban stars such as 31FAM.
This broad range of music is also reflected in the audiences it draws. The average age of visitors is 37.5. The most common age ranges were from 25 to 34 and from 45 to 54, accounting for 26% of the total. The third most common age range was 35 to 44 (20%), followed by young people between the ages of 16 and 24 (19%).
In terms of origin, 71% of visitors are from Catalonia (34% of these residing in Barcelona and the metropolitan area), while 21% come from elsewhere in the Spanish state and 7% come from other countries, confirming the pulling power of the Anella and the impact of its activity on the city. By venue, the shows at the Estadi Olímpic attracted the largest numbers of international concertgoers, accounting for 12% of the total.
Beyond the sphere of music, the complex also hosted family shows such as Disney on Ice, as well as several successful sports events, such as the Indoor Trial, the World Padel Tour and the Kingdom Cup, which between them drew over 67,000 spectators to the Palau Sant Jordi.
Work has also continued to make this a welcoming space, with a solidarity side to it and a commitment to education. More than 500 people in vulnerable situations enjoyed the activities at the site thanks to the collaboration of Apropa Cultura.
Notable events in the realm of education included the STEAM Anella days, offering a morning of science activities organised by BSM and the UPC, with over 2,200 young people from 28 secondary schools taking part, plus the 30th anniversary of the big contemporary dance event for schools, Dansa Ara, involving 16,000 primary school pupils, family members and teaching staff.
In addition to the usual activities at the Anella, FC Barcelona played 15 matches at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, with an accumulated attendance of more than 600,000 spectators.
First confirmations for 2024
As of today, the Anella Olímpica has 115 events confirmed for 2024, which will be attended by nearly 1.7 million people, including the fans at FC Barcelona games. This volume is set to grow as new dates on this year’s events and activities’ calendar are confirmed.
Besides hosting FC Barcelona matches, the Estadi Olímpic will maintain its position as a venue for some of the big concerts planned next year in the city. Highlights include two dates announced by Bruce Springsteen, plus the concerts of Estopa and the German band Rammstein.
In addition, the Palau Sant Jordi and the Sant Jordi Club will be welcoming artists such as Joan Dausà, Simple Plan, Laura Pausini, Bad Gyal, Depeche Mode, Maná, Luis Miguel, Olivia Rodrigo, Viva Suecia, Nil Moliner, Manolo García, Jonas Brothers, Camilo, The Tyets and many others. The Palau will also be hosting sports competitions such as the Barcelona Universae Indoor Trial and the Women’s Indoor Trial Trophy , along with family shows such as Disney on Ice.
