FC Barcelona, arguably the most powerful soccer club in the world, will open a training academy in Austin this summer, with facilities at Circuit of the Americas and the new Round Rock Multipurpose Complex.
The move is part of the Spanish giant’s push for a bigger footprint in the United States and a world-wide boost of its FCB Escola project.
FCB Escola is the flagship FC Barcelona school aimed at players between the ages of 6 and 16. FCB Escola, which teaches Barca methodology and style of play, has schools in major international markets like Tokyo, Dubai, Sao Paolo and Moscow.
“The City of Austin and the Austin Sports Commission have been instrumental in bringing FC Barcelona’s Escola system to the city,” said Marc Segarra, co-founder of ISL Futbol, the largest partner of FC Barcelona in the United States.
“This new program will not only help local players experience firsthand the best international, professional and developmental soccer pathway but will also put Austin on a global soccer stage.”
Circuit of the Americas chairman Bobby Epstein said he will build and fund the soccer facilities at his race track. The project is expected to be completed this summer.
“This field will be a significant investment for us, and we hope local clubs hold their big games there, as well as serving to help attract youth tournament games,” Epstein told the American-Statesman. “It’s close to Southeast Metro Park and could prove to be synergistic.”
Epstein hinted at possible expansion of the soccer complex.
“Initially there will be one spectacular, championship field. For training, the academy will break it into two training fields,” he said.
“The field has been part of the master plan since the Grand Plaza was designed before the venue opened. What’s interesting is that the plaza, the amphitheater, and the tower were designed by Austin architect Juan Miro, who is a native of Barcelona and grew up near their stadium.”
While fans shouldn’t expect Barcelona stars Lionel Messi, Neymar or Luis Suarez to show up in Austin, FCB Escola will pump some big names into the project.
An FC Barcelona technical director, several former Barcelona players, and UEFA Pro licensed coaches will be sent to the Austin school. Coaches will work full time and establish residency in Austin.
Additionally, certain players could be selected for an “FCB Experience”, which is a trip to Barcelona to practice and play at the FC Barcelona Ciutat Esportiva. They will also participate in the International FCBEscola Soccer Tournament, in which players from the club’s different schools around the world compete.
Austin will also have an FCB Escola soccer camp this summer, with more details to follow. FCB Escola also has camps in U.S. cities like Washington D.C., Charlotte, Cincinnati, Chicago, St. Louis and Sacramento.
“This whole project is really great news for our area,” Epstein said. “Lance Aldridge and our City Sports Commission really pulled this together. And we’re showing at COTA that we’re more than a race track.”
