Your first match day in Barcelona: a fan’s checklist

There is nothing like hearing the club anthem sung by tens of thousands of people. If it is your first time, a little planning makes the whole day easier and more fun.

Before the match

Wear your colours, but keep valuables to a minimum: a phone, a card and your ticket are enough. Bags are checked at the gates and large ones are not allowed. Eat near the stadium in Les Corts, where small bars fill with fans from every country two hours before kick-off.

In the stands

Learn the first lines of "Cant del Barça" before you go; the stadium sings it before every match, and hearing it from inside the bowl is unforgettable. Keep your scarf handy for the moment the teams walk out.

After the final whistle

Do not rush to the metro. The crowd thins out in twenty minutes, and the streets around the stadium are the best place to talk about the match with strangers who suddenly feel like friends.