Barcelona are already planning for next season, with a key date on the calendar potentially featuring a familiar opponent.
According to a recent report from SPORT, Bundesliga club RB Leipzig is currently leading the race to face Barça in the 61st edition of the Joan Gamper Trophy.
The traditional curtain-raiser, organized every summer by Barcelona, is more than just a friendly match.
It is a symbolic event for the club and often serves as the first major presentation of the squad ahead of the new campaign.
However, logistical details still need to be resolved.
Venue yet to be decided
At this stage, it has not been fully confirmed whether the Gamper clash will take place at Spotify Camp Nou.
This is due to ongoing construction work at the stadium, and holding the match elsewhere would allow progress to continue without interruption.
The Johan Cruyff Stadium has been considered as a backup option. However, all indications suggest Barcelona’s preference is to bring the match back to their main stadium.
The financial upside of hosting the game at Spotify Camp Nou is significantly higher, making it the most attractive scenario from a revenue perspective.
Another possibility previously explored was hosting the Gamper outside Spain. This idea was analyzed last season but ultimately rejected. While not completely ruled out, it is currently viewed as the least likely option.
Leipzig in contention
Barcelona’s plan A is for RB Leipzig to travel to Catalonia and play at Spotify Camp Nou.
Interestingly, this plan is directly connected to the transfer of Dani Olmo.
According to reports, when Barcelona negotiated his move from RB Leipzig, the agreement included a structured deal worth €55 million, plus an additional €7 million in performance-related bonuses.
Crucially, the contract also contained a clause for the two clubs to play a friendly match before 2028.
Ultimately, hosting Leipzig in the Joan Gamper Trophy would allow Barcelona to honor that commitment.
