FC Barcelona Presidential Elections 2026: A Crucial Moment in the Club’s History

FC Barcelona is going through a crucial period in its history. After an outstanding sporting season last year, the club continues to face a very difficult economic situation with little sign of recovery. During the summer of 2026, the FC Barcelona members “the socis” will need to decide on the captain who will steer the Barça ship from 2026 to 2031.

While important details such as the exact date of the election and the full list of candidates remain unclear, the 2026 elections are already occupying the minds of the current president Joan Laporta, his clear rival Victor Font, and a large portion of FC Barcelona members and the club’s global fanbase. In this article, we will explore the context of the upcoming elections, the format of the electoral process, the confirmed and expected candidates, and the factors likely to determine the outcome.

The Context of the Election:

Joan Laporta achieved a clear victory in the 2021 FC Barcelona presidential elections, winning 30,184 votes (almost double those of his strongest rival, Victor Font, who obtained 16,679). With this solid mandate, Laporta faced a very difficult start to his presidency: he inherited a club on the verge of bankruptcy, which led to the departure of the club’s greatest icon, Lionel Messi. That event had traumatic effects on both the player and the fans.

Laporta’s presidency has since been marked by difficulties with La Liga’s financial fair play rules, which left the club highly vulnerable during transfer windows, with limited room for maneuver and constant challenges in registering new signings.

However, by 2023, Barça began to see light at the end of the tunnel. Through Laporta’s famous “levers” and financial engineering, the club managed to build a competitive team that regained its respect on the European stage. The appointment of Hansi Flick as head coach further strengthened the project. Today, Barça is a solid team, with an experienced and brilliant coach, and a young, promising squad led by Lamine Yamal, the new football rockstar and the fans’ greatest hope.

Now, members must decide whether they want to give continuity to this project, with its strengths and weaknesses, or take a chance on a new leadership with a fresh and innovative mindset.

How the Election Works and Who Votes:

FC Barcelona is the only elite football club with a democratic ownership model, allowing members to elect their president. Elections are held every five years, and a president can only be re-elected once.

Only members with at least 12 months of seniority have the right to vote. Any member with at least 10 years of seniority can present a candidacy for the presidency, provided they are accompanied by proposed board members who each have at least five years of seniority.

To be considered an official candidate, each list must collect around 3,000 member signatures. Once the final candidates are announced, the campaign begins with TV and radio debates. On election day, members cast their votes at the Camp Nou offices. It remains to be seen whether remote (telematic) voting will be introduced for this election, which would significantly increase participation, especially from “socis” living outside Catalonia.

The Current Candidates and Their Projects:

Although the complete list of candidates is not yet confirmed, three main options are expected to be at the forefront of the 2026 elections:

Joan Laporta (current president): Charismatic, experienced, and with a strong personality, Laporta is both admired and criticized. While some accuse him of improvisation and poor long-term planning, he has undeniably restored much of the club’s identity and character. His leadership style is highly interventionist, especially regarding sporting matters, as he believes that a strong president makes for a strong club.

Victor Font: A successful business consultant, Font first emerged in 2015 with his project “Sí al Futur”, which offered a detailed analysis of the club’s situation and a long-term vision for its future. In 2021, he finished second behind Laporta. Font is known for his structured, data-driven presentations, but he has sometimes lacked broad popularity among the club’s social base. His plan emphasizes the seriousness of the club’s financial crisis and the need for a clear strategy. He proposes a model where the president delegates authority to a strong executive team, with legends of the club leading the sporting direction in line with Barça’s footballing philosophy.

“Som un clam”: This opinion group, made up of FC Barcelona members critical of Laporta’s leadership style, has not yet put forward a clear candidate but is expected to announce one soon.

What Will Decide the Elections?

We will be covering developments around the 2026 elections in detail, tracking each candidate’s record and proposals. But here’s a spoiler: it will be the football pitch that decides. No matter how strategic the plans, how polished the presentations, or how convincing the SWOT analyses may be, the results of Hansi Flick’s team in the 2025/26 season will ultimately shape the election outcome.

If Barça plays brilliant “Flick ball,” wins titles, and thrills fans, no one will be able to compete with Laporta. While the other candidates prepare their campaigns, Laporta knows that his strongest weapon is simple: the team’s performance on the field.