camp nou fifa 23

camp nou fifa 23

When you fire up FIFA 23, one iconic stadium is missing: Camp Nou. FC Barcelona’s storied home, with its steep stands and vivid history, is nowhere to be found on the list of playable grounds in this year’s game. Fans of the series and the club often ask why Camp Nou isn’t in FIFA 23, and what the impact is for gameplay, realism, and overall experience.

Why Isn’t Camp Nou in FIFA 23?

The absence of Camp Nou in FIFA 23 comes down to exclusive licensing. In recent years, Konami—makers of eFootball (formerly Pro Evolution Soccer)—secured exclusive rights to use Camp Nou. This means EA Sports, the publisher of FIFA 23, can’t include the stadium in their game. Licensing agreements dictate which teams, players, and stadiums appear in FIFA titles. While most of the world’s major venues are present, Camp Nou remains off-limits due to this deal.

How Does It Affect the Gameplay Experience?

For Barcelona fans and players who value authenticity, the lack of Camp Nou is noticeable. Home games for FC Barcelona in FIFA 23 are played at a generic stadium instead. This affects the immersion for career mode, online matches, and even Ultimate Team matches when you want to replicate the real-life vibe. The unique atmosphere, crowd chants, and details that make Barcelona’s home special are simply missing.

Visual presentation is a big aspect of the FIFA series. Having the right stadium changes the feel, lighting, and even match intensity. For those who enjoy the details, the absence of Camp Nou is a letdown.

Are There Workarounds?

In FIFA 23, you can assign a different stadium to Barcelona as their home ground, but none will look or feel exactly like Camp Nou. Some players use the in-game stadium creator or select a large, European-style venue as a stand-in. It’s not the same, but it does let you at least approximate the big-match environment.

Those who value visual accuracy may consider mods or unofficial patches on PC, but these aren’t endorsed or supported by EA, and have their own potential risks.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Avoids legal conflicts due to licensing
• Encourages creativity with stadium selection

Cons:

• Reduced authenticity for La Liga and Barcelona fans
• Impact on overall immersion and realism in FIFA 23
• Limits full Barcelona club branding experience

Practical Tips for Players

If you want the closest experience to Camp Nou in FIFA 23:

• Choose a similar stadium style—large, open-air, with bright colors.
• Customize your banners, crowds, and pitch patterns to reflect FC Barcelona.
• Focus on gameplay and team tactics, which remain fully authentic.

Fans who absolutely want Camp Nou presented accurately should look at other games that hold the stadium’s exclusive rights—though that may mean leaving FIFA’s gameplay and community behind.

Final Thoughts

The absence of Camp Nou in FIFA 23 is a disappointment for purists, but it doesn’t break the game. It’s a reminder of how licensing shapes the FIFA series. If authenticity is your main priority, this is a factor to weigh. For most players, the rich gameplay and smooth experience of FIFA 23 will still deliver—just without one of football’s most legendary backdrops.