Museum receives 30 millionth visitor

The FC Barcelona Museum welcomed its 30 millionth visitor and the Club has celebrated this special landmark with a special gift for the lucky person. The honour of becoming the 30 millionth visitor was taken by Brazilian supporter Denise Tateno who, after being surprised by the prize, was greeted by the vice-president of FC Barcelona, Jordi Cardoner, executive director Òscar Grau and museum director, Jordi Penas.

Denise Tateno, from the moment she entered the door as the 30 millionth visitor, has received a number of exclusive gifts, such as a special route of the tour, a private visit to the first team dressing room, a jersey signed by all of the players and was allowed to lift the Champions League trophy among other activities.

Denise is a fan of Sao Paulo in her native Brazil who decided on the day to visit the museum on her own as she is touring Europe, and has Italy as her next stop.

Statement by Jordi Cardoner, first vice-president of FC Barcelona:

“We are very pleased with this initiative. It’s one that we have arranged in the past when we reach such milestones and means that we are able to keep in touch with our visitors. We hope that our visitor numbers allow us to hold onto our position as the most visited museum in Catalonia”.

Statement by Denise Tateno, 30 millionth visitor to the Barça Museum:

“I am very happy. It was a huge surprise that I wasn’t expecting. I have come to Barcelona on my own as part of a trip to Europe and I’m a Barça fan. I especially like Messi and Neymar. I’m really excited to receive a team shirt”.

32 years of growth

FC Barcelona currently has the most visited museum in Catalonia. Located in the second tier of the grandstand, it displays historic items and the different trophies that the club has won over the years both in football and other sports.

Visitors get to explore the 117 years of Barça history, and bring it to life thanks to the giant interactive wall and touchscreens that commemorate some of the biggest moments.

The museum was opened on 24 September 1984. Julià Bretos from Mataró in Catalonia (member number 47,505) was the first ever visitor. No fewer than 19,432 people came to visit in the first year, but that number rose dramatically to 133,052 over the following twelve months.

That may seem a lot, but it was only the start of it. Constant renovations and the inclusion of the museum in the stadium tour caused visitor numbers to boom, to the extent that by 2015, a staggering 1.7 million people walked through the turnstiles!