Joan Laporta Resigns as Barcelona President to Seek Re-Election

Barcelona's Laporta steps down to face March 15 Vote

Joan Laporta resigns as Barcelona president to seek re-election, election set for March 15. Rafa Yuste takes over as interim president.

Barcelona confirmed the election will again be held across multiple venues, a decision designed to increase the turnout...

Joan Laporta has stepped down as Barcelona's president to run for re-election, kicking off a 35-day campaign leading up to the March 15 vote. He's been in office since March 2021, winning 54% of the vote, and is now required to resign under club statutes. Rafa Yuste, the current Vice President, will take over as interim president until the election is settled.

Joan Laporta, the current president of Barcelona, is seeking re-election and is widely considered the frontrunner. He's facing competition from long-time rival Victor Font, as well as former club executive Xavier Vilajoana and economist Marc Ciria, who's running for the first time. The election is set for March 15, and if re-elected, Laporta will return to office on July 1.

Around 100,000 Barcelona members of legal age with at least one year of membership are eligible to vote.

Barcelona confirmed the election will again be held across multiple venues, a decision designed to increase the turnout. Polling stations will be located at the club's facilities, in the three other Catalan ‌provincial capitals of Girona, Tarragona and Lleida, and in Andorra la Vella.

Laporta and part of the Board resign in order to stand for re-election

All the details 👇
🔗 https://t.co/8ACkzRbwr5 pic.twitter.com/vIwRFU1xCq

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) February 9, 2026

Laporta's tenure started with Lionel Messi's shock departure to PSG and has seen the team defend their LaLiga and Copa del Rey titles. They also reached the Champions League semi-finals last year. Now, the squad boasts young talent like 18-year-old Lamine Yamal, a La Masia product who's been catching Laporta's eye. 

Barcelona's back at the Camp Nou after a 2.5-year renovation hiatus, and despite ongoing work and limited capacity, the team's got a new vibe under Hansi Flick's attacking-led coaching. Supporters are hyped.