Barcelona's Presidency Race Narrowed to Two Heavyweights as Election Nears
5 March 2026
Race intensifies as mid-month vote nears
Barcelona's presidential elections have delivered pivotal, surprising developments just days before the official vote. Supporters debate what changes a Laporta or Font presidency would bring, from squad planning to budget priorities.
Joan Laporta announced his bid for a second term in May 2025, under the banner 'Defend Barcelona', urging voters to back his program. He framed his project as a promise to defend the club's identity, culture, and global appeal.
He said that if elected, Oriol Amat would head the finance committee, while the lawyer travels to Gavà to press on with his campaign. He hinted at structural reforms but avoided naming specific measures.
Two nominees confirmed as Serra falls short
Although chatter of several candidates had circulated, the club stunned supporters with a Thursday announcement. The club confirmed that Laporta and Víctor Font are the only officially nominated candidates, after Marc Serra failed to reach the minimum signature threshold.
The club then validated the signatures submitted by the three hopefuls last Monday, clearing the two who exceeded the required 2,337 signatures. The threshold proved a decisive gatekeeper, shaping the race's ground rules.
Campaign starts and voting day on the calendar
A one-week campaign begins now, and Barca fans will head to the ballot boxes on Sunday, March 15, as a league match against Sevilla is scheduled for 4:15 p.m. at Camp Nou. Validation means candidates can mobilize voters rather than argue over paperwork.
Loparta (Laporta) reportedly submitted 8,170 signatures, with 7,226 valid; Font filed 5,144, with 4,440 valid. Marc Serra presented 2,845, but 598 were rejected, leaving him out with 2,247 valid.
Earlier in the week Javier Villahona announced he had not reached the minimum. The numbers show the depth of support and highlight the arduous path for hopefuls to tap socios.
Font remains a prominent voice of opposition, now leading the Nosaltres party dedicated to uniting Barca's diverse factions. From the start, Laporta frames the election as a referendum: Laporta or Barcelona?
