The countdown to the next Clásico is officially on, but for many FC Barcelona fans, the excitement is being overshadowed by the bill. With the clash against Real Madrid set for Sunday, May 10, at the Camp Nou, the club has opened ticket sales to members, and the pricing strategy has sparked significant backlash.

Even the most modest seats are priced as luxury items. There are some accusing the board of prioritizing revenue over the loyalty of the average fan.

Joan Laporta recently suggested during the election that prices would drop as stadium capacity increased, but the current figures tell a different story. The most affordable tickets initially made available to members started at 319 euros. Those seats, located in the furthest reaches of the stadium with the poorest visibility, were the first to be snapped up by fans desperate to see the game.

Now that those initial tiers are gone, the entry point for the remaining general seating has jumped significantly. Prices for mid-tier seats are reaching 500 to 800 euros. VIP packages are starting at 1,750 euros, while the VIP Premium tickets, which include catering and lounge access, are being marketed at 2,250 euros and up.

Currently, Barça holds a comfortable lead over Madrid. If Hansi Flick’s squad maintains their form through upcoming fixtures against Getafe and Osasuna, the Clásico could serve as the mathematical coronation for Barcelona’s 29th league title. Thus, the match could prove to be a rare league-clinching match in the world’s biggest rivalry.

Still. the price hike has left a sour taste for many who followed the team during their temporary stay at Montjuïc. There is a growing sentiment among the fan base that the club is using high-profile fixtures as a “gold mine” to balance the books.