2026 Barça Elections Explained: Why Laporta’s Decision Has Rivals Furious

‎The political corridors of FC Barcelona are buzzing once again, but not everyone is cheering.

‎President Joan Laporta has officially set the date for the club’s presidential elections for Sunday, March 15, 2026. While the decision brings much-anticipated clarity, it has simultaneously ignited a firestorm of criticism from rival candidates who accuse the incumbent of “opportunism” and placing personal gain above the club’s sporting stability.

‎A Tactical Masterclass or a Distraction?

‎Under the FC Barcelona statutes, the club, which is owned by its members (socios), must hold elections every five years. Laporta, who returned to the helm in 2021, had a window between mid-March and the end of June to call the vote.

‎By choosing the earliest possible date, he has ensured the election will take place while the team is in the thick of competition.

‎Specifically, the March 15 date falls right in the middle of a high-stakes period, including the Champions League Round of 16.

‎A statement on the club’s official website confirmed the move, “The Board of Directors has agreed to call elections for the club presidency on Sunday 15 March 2026. In the coming days, and in accordance with the deadlines established in the Statutes, the official call will be published, including the schedule and all details of the electoral process.”

‎Rivals Slam “Opportunistic” Decision

‎Laporta’s rivals, including Victor Font, Marc Ciria, Xavier Vilajoana, and Joan Camprubí, have been quick to voice their displeasure.

‎The consensus among the opposition is that Laporta is capitalizing on the team’s current run of form. Barcelona currently sits atop La Liga and recently secured the Supercopa de España title against Real Madrid.

‎Speaking with the Spanish publication SPORT, Marc Ciria didn’t hold back, “We had already planned that Laporta was going to take advantage of any opportunistic moment to call the elections. We understand that the statutes provided for it, but the normal thing was to do it with the season over and with the different teams fighting for the titles not seen in this noise.”

‎Victor Font, who finished second to Laporta in 2021 with 29.99% of the vote suggest the President is indifferent to the potential sporting distractions, “It is obvious that these elections are called when it suits Laporta. He doesn’t care about holding elections in the middle of a Champions League tie. But we were already expecting it, so we are not surprised.

‎”We are prepared. These are very important elections for the future of Barca.”

‎The “Member First” Demand

‎Beyond the timing, Font is also pushing for the club to prioritize its owners, the members, during the election weekend. If the March 15 date coincides with a home fixture against Sevilla, Font is demanding radical changes to the match-day experience.

‎”If March 15 finally coincides with a match against Sevilla, we demand that on that day the match be exclusively for members and that tickets are at the minimum cost. Participation must be encouraged and those who do not have season tickets cannot be discriminated against.”

‎Meanwhile, candidate Xavier Vilajoana took a more measured but firm stance, emphasizing the need for transparency, “I would like the elections to be as participatory as possible, so that members can hear and compare as many proposals as possible. And so that the club provides every opportunity for members to have all the information they need to decide.”

‎The Road to the Ballot

‎Despite the vocal opposition, Laporta has defended his choice, maintaining that mid-March is the “most appropriate on a sporting and institutional level.”

‎However, the path to the ballot box is not easy for anyone. To officially qualify, each candidate must collect 2,321 signatures from club members.

‎As for Laporta, he will be required to resign his post in February to allow a management committee to oversee the club’s daily operations until the results are in.

‎With the team performing on the pitch and the boardroom at war, the next two months promise to be some of the most dramatic in recent Barcelona history.