The Copa del Rey is the only cup tournament in Europe's five top leagues where the final venue is not decided before the tournament begins. Furthermore, in England, Germany, France and Italy, the finals are always played in the same stadiums: Wembley, the Olympiastadion, the Stade de France and the Stadio Olimpico, respectively.
Not the case with the Copa del Rey. With less than two months to go before the game is due to take place, April 21st, and with both finalists already qualified, still nobody knows where it will be. Additionally, as had been the case for a number of years now, an argument is brewing.
The fans of Sevilla and Barcelona are capable of filling any stadium. As such, the choices are limited to only the biggest stadiums in Spain, to maximise attendances. The grounds that have been suggested are: the Bernabeu, the Camp Nou, the Wanda Metropolitano, the Estadio Benito Villamarin, The Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, the Mestalla and La Cartuja.
Indeed, there is a clear favourite: the brand new Wanda Metropolitano. Atletico Madrid's home will win a lot of votes to host the final thanks to the problems associated with all the other options. It would be the easiest choice and is capable of holding up to 68,000 spectators.
Pepe Castro, president of Sevilla, ruled out the option of using Villamarin (home ground of rivals Betis), and has offered the Sanchez Pizjuan. Barcelona have played one of their last four finals at the Camp Nou, but it appears it would be difficult to repeat that. Finally, the Bernabeu is always an option, but Real Madrid have the final say.
Consequently, the Mestalla presents itself as the most viable alternative to the Wanda. However, as has come to be the norm with the Copa, the debate over the venue goes on. The same as always.