Barcelona Launches Dubai Café and Store Project

Barcelona Advances Major Dubai Project with Club Cafés and Stores

Project awaits Assembly approval and aims to generate around €10M annually for the club

BlaugranaNews EditorialMay 06, 20262 min read

So what

This initiative will provide Barcelona with a new steady revenue stream, crucial amid the club’s financial constraints. The Assembly’s upcoming decision is pivotal to realizing the project. Success in Dubai could encourage further commercial expansion beyond football in the coming seasons.

FC Barcelona is moving forward with a significant residential and commercial project in Dubai as part of its broader effort to diversify club revenues. The development will include several 'Barça Café' locations and 'Barça Store' outlets, forming a residential complex intertwined with club-branded commercial spaces.

Ohana Development, Barcelona's partner in the region, takes a leading role in the project. The team's jerseys will display the commercial partner’s logo during La Liga and Copa del Rey matches, while UEFA Champions League regulations require the club to use its foundation’s logo to bypass restrictions on commercial sponsorship.

The project is designed for the long term and is expected to generate stable yearly revenue estimated at around €10 million, which will be reflected in Barcelona’s financial accounts starting from the next fiscal year after Assembly approval. The club’s members will vote on the proposal at the upcoming Assembly session.

Apart from Dubai, Barcelona is also considering another ambitious venture in the UAE—naming towers in Abu Dhabi. However, this initiative is progressing more slowly, with the club commissioning an audit to assess the sponsorship’s feasibility.

What this means

Firstly, the Dubai project signals Barcelona's strategic move to leverage its brand beyond the pitch by developing sustainable commercial assets. This approach mirrors similar efforts by other top European clubs, such as Manchester City, helping to reduce dependence on transfer dealings and sporting outcomes.

Secondly, the requirement for Assembly approval underscores the club’s governance structure, emphasizing transparency and member involvement in major financial decisions, which helps protect the interests of supporters and investors alike.

Thirdly, Barcelona’s adjustment to UEFA's sponsorship rules by using its foundation's logo during European matches exemplifies a professional and adaptive approach to managing sponsorships while maintaining the club’s international image.

Overall, this initiative could be a significant step toward Barcelona’s financial stability and strengthen its presence in the fast-growing Middle Eastern market.

If successfully implemented, the Dubai project may open avenues for further international commercial expansion, solidifying the club's financial foundations to compete at the highest sporting level.