FC Barcelona Set for First Triangular Tournament in 24 Years

FC Barcelona are about to do something they have not done in nearly a quarter of a century. The La Liga champions will participate in a triangular tournament in Udine, Italy, marking the club's first appearance in this unusual preseason format in 24 years.

Under head coach Hansi Flick, Barcelona will face both Udinese and Nottingham Forest on the same evening. Instead of playing two traditional 90-minute friendlies, each match will last just 45 minutes. It is an unusual sight for a club of Barcelona's size, but there is a clear reason behind the decision.

What Is a Triangular Tournament?

For fans unfamiliar with the format, a triangular tournament is essentially a three-team mini-competition played over a single event. Rather than each team playing a full 90-minute match, the games are shortened. Barcelona will therefore face Udinese for 45 minutes before taking on Nottingham Forest for another 45-minute contest.

The format has traditionally been popular in Catalonia, particularly in grassroots and preseason football. However, it has become increasingly rare at the professional level as major clubs have moved towards traditional friendlies and lucrative international tours. For Barcelona, that makes this weekend's event something of a throwback.

Barcelona's First Triangular Since 2002

The last time FC Barcelona played a triangular tournament was during the 2002/03 preseason. That tournament featured Barcelona, Parma and Ajax.

Barcelona defeated Parma 4-2, with recently signed star Juan Román Riquelme scoring twice. Ajax then defeated Louis van Gaal's Barcelona 4-3 in an entertaining contest that featured Dutch midfielder Rafael van der Vaart. A lot has changed since then.

The football landscape has transformed dramatically, preseason tours have become major commercial events and clubs regularly travel across continents to prepare for new campaigns. Barcelona's return to the triangular format therefore feels like a trip back to a different era of football.

Why Is Barcelona Choosing This Format Now?

The decision is closely linked to the circumstances surrounding the 2026-27 Barcelona preseason. The 2026 FIFA World Cup has created an unusual calendar, with many Barcelona players having spent much of the summer representing their countries.

Rather than organising an extensive international tour, Hansi Flick has preferred a more controlled preparation programme. Barcelona have spent significant time training at St George's Park in England, while also arranging matches closer to Europe rather than travelling long distances. For a squad returning from a major international tournament, limiting unnecessary travel can be particularly valuable.

Flick's Preseason Approach Is Different

Hansi Flick has generally preferred a structured preparation period rather than turning preseason into a worldwide promotional tour. Barcelona's recent schedule reflects that approach.

The team travelled to England for its training camp and faced Birmingham City, with the match ending 2-2 before Birmingham prevailed on penalties. A planned behind-closed-doors meeting with Preston North End could not take place because Preston were unable to field a team. The triangular tournament now provides Barcelona with another opportunity to give players valuable minutes without committing to two full matches in a short period.

A Useful Test Against Udinese and Nottingham Forest

The event should also provide Flick with a chance to assess his squad. Playing two 45-minute matches means the Barcelona manager can rotate his players while still exposing them to competitive match conditions.

The opposition also offers different challenges. Udinese will provide a test against familiar Italian opposition, while Nottingham Forest bring the physical intensity associated with English football. For a Barcelona squad preparing for another demanding campaign, those contrasts could make the tournament more useful than it initially appears.

Barcelona's Triangular History Goes Much Further Back

Although 2002 was the club's previous appearance, triangular tournaments are hardly new to Barcelona. The club's first-ever triangular competition came all the way back in June 1947 in Mallorca.

Barcelona defeated the hosts 3-0 before beating Atlético Madrid 6-0. Forward Manuel Badenes scored six goals across the two matches and finished as the tournament's leading scorer. The club also participated in several triangular tournaments during the 1990s, including events held in locations such as Oviedo, Marbella, Tenerife, Salamanca, Florence and Amsterdam. At that time, these tournaments were a much more familiar part of preseason football.

The End of an Old Preseason Tradition

The decline of triangular tournaments is closely connected to the changing economics of football. In the 1990s and early 2000s, clubs were more likely to prepare through regional friendlies and short tournaments.

Today, Europe's biggest clubs regularly travel to the United States, Asia and the Middle East for preseason tours that combine sporting preparation with major commercial opportunities. Barcelona themselves have been part of that trend in previous years. The 2026 preseason, however, has encouraged the club to take a different route.

The World Cup Has Changed the Calendar

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is another major factor. With the tournament taking place across Canada, Mexico and the United States, many players have had their summer schedules disrupted. That leaves clubs with less time to prepare their full squads before the new domestic season.

For Barcelona, staying relatively close to home and focusing on shorter matches could help players gradually build fitness without placing excessive physical demands on them.

The club's official schedule shows Barcelona beginning their competitive La Liga campaign away to Elche on August 23, followed by their first competitive match at the renovated Spotify Camp Nou against Athletic Club on August 27.

A New Chapter at the Spotify Camp Nou

The triangular tournament is just one part of a significant period for Barcelona. The club are preparing for the return to the Spotify Camp Nou, with their first competitive home fixture of the 2026/27 season scheduled against Athletic Club.

Barcelona are also continuing work on the stadium redevelopment, with the club expecting further sections of the venue to reopen during the coming campaign. That makes the upcoming season particularly important for the club both on and off the pitch.

What Barcelona Fans Can Expect

For supporters, the triangular tournament offers something different from the usual preseason friendly. The shorter matches should provide a fast-paced environment where players have little time to settle into the game.

For Flick, it could be a useful opportunity to test tactical ideas, evaluate new signings and give younger players meaningful minutes. For fans, meanwhile, it offers a rare chance to see Barcelona compete in a format that has almost disappeared from elite football.

The Bigger Picture

Barcelona's decision to participate in a triangular tournament might seem like a small preseason detail, but it reflects a bigger change in how the club are preparing for the new season.

With the 2026 World Cup affecting player availability, Hansi Flick has opted for a more focused preparation programme rather than a lengthy international tour. And after 24 years away, Barcelona are returning to a format that once formed a familiar part of football's preseason calendar.

The matchups against Udinese and Nottingham Forest may last only 45 minutes each, but they will give fans a rare glimpse of a football tradition that has almost disappeared. For FC Barcelona, it is a small piece of nostalgia but also another important step towards the 2026-27 season.