Barcelona Uses Drones to Manage Player Departures from Training Ground

Barcelona is turning to a new technical solution to curb the recurring chaos outside the Joan Gamper Sports City, as the number of fans waiting for players to get autographs or take souvenir photos continues to rise.

According to 'Sport' newspaper, the club's security apparatus has begun using drones to monitor the entrances and exits of the sports city from the air, aiming to gain a comprehensive view of fan movement and the surrounding areas.

The idea is to monitor crowd gatherings directly, then identify the least crowded exit at any moment, enabling players who wish to leave quickly to use the easiest route and avoid large crowds.

Barcelona has been searching for years for solutions to manage the crowds that form almost daily outside the training ground. While most fans gather there to get autographs or photos with their favorite stars, the rising numbers at times lead to situations that exceed acceptable limits.

Inigo Martinez was one of the standout players who encountered one of these situations in 2024, when he got into an altercation with a group of young men after being subjected to insults and provocations while leaving the sports city, before stopping his car and getting out to reprimand them.

German coach Hansi Flick faced a similar situation in October 2025 when a group of fans demanded respect for the club's staff after he witnessed inappropriate behavior towards security personnel. He addressed the fans, saying: "I always stop two or three times a week, show some respect."

The repercussions of these gatherings do not stop at annoying players; large numbers can obstruct vehicle movement and make it difficult to leave the venue, not to mention creating awkward situations for players, staff, and fans alike.

The crisis reignited on Tuesday as approximately 80 fans gathered outside one of the exits of the sports city, waiting to see Rodri and take pictures with him, which led to traffic disruptions for vehicles leaving the facility.

The Spanish midfielder took a moment to meet the requests of several fans, while Dani Olmo waited in his car behind him, before he had to use the car horn due to the traffic difficulties.

Barcelona is relying on drones to provide immediate aerial visibility of gathering locations, allowing the security team to identify the least congested exit and direct players towards it, in an effort to organize the departure process and reduce bottlenecks and chaotic situations.