In what has become a repeating annual event, the debate over the Santiago Bernabeu hosting the Copa del Rey final has just been put to rest by Bruce Springsteen. Barcelona and Sevilla were keen on using Real Madrid’s stadium as the venue for the final, but the American rocker has been booked to perform at the venue on the 21st of May, the same date as the final.
Barcelona were reportedly keen on the Santiago Bernabeu playing host, as the 81,444 seater is an ideal neutral ground that is equidistant from the city of Barcelona in the northeast, and Seville in the southwest. However, ‘The Boss’ has put paid to any hopes of the Bernabeu being available by releasing the dates of the Spain leg of his Europe tour with the ‘E Street Band’.
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Springsteen will perform on the 14th on May in Barcelona, 17th May in San Sebastian and will end his tour in Madrid on the 21st of May, the same date as the final. There is a possibility that the Copa del Rey final will be moved to the 22nd of May if Sevilla make the Europa League final, but that wouldn’t change the logistical complexity, thus ruling out the Bernabeu.
Springsteen’s concert in Madrid on the 21st also rules out the possibility of the Vicente Calderon, Atletico Madrid’s stadium hosting the final as well; since the city of Madrid will reject any proposal to host two large events on the same night so as to prevent a logistical nightmare.
Debate over the venue continues
Barcelona themselves are reluctant to host the Copa del Rey final at the Camp Nou for a second successive year in a row; while Sevilla manager, Unai Emery, is incredibly reluctant for the Camp Nou to play host, saying ““I hope the final won’t be played at Camp Nou like last season. I’d rather play earlier in China than there. I hope we don’t have the injustice of playing there because it would give more advantage to Barcelona. It’d be like giving them a second Messi.”
With both stadiums in Madrid ruled out, other venues such as Valencia’s Mestalla and Athletic Bilbao’s San Mames stadium. The Mestalla has a capacity of 55,000 and is located ideally as well, allowing a moderate commute for both Barcelona and Sevilla supporters.
It won't matter for fans of Real Madrid however, as their chants against being witness to Barcelona potentially lifting the trophy have been answered, with Bruce ‘The Boss’ Springsteen coming to their rescue.
