FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta has formally resigned from his position to stand for re-election in the club’s upcoming presidential elections scheduled for March 15, 2026. Laporta’s resignation was confirmed during an ordinary Board of Directors meeting held on Monday, at which the call for elections was officially published.
Alongside Laporta, several senior members of the current board have also stepped down to participate in the electoral process, including vice presidents and key directors. The resignations clear the way for Laporta to campaign while ensuring the club’s governance complies with its statutes.
At the same meeting in which the election call was formalised, the club confirmed the changes to the Board of Directors for the interim period. Rafael Yuste will serve as interim president, supported by Josep Cubells as vice president and secretary, Alfons Castro as treasurer, and board members Josep Ignasi Macià, Àngel Riudalbas, Joan Solé i Sust and Sisco Pujol. This reconfigured board will oversee club operations until the end of the current mandate on June 30, 2026.
Once these resignations were formalised, the reconfigured Board continued with its meeting agenda, ensuring continuity of governance while the electoral process gets under way.
The presidential elections, set for March 15, 2026, represent the earliest date permitted under club statutes. The electoral process was officially launched on Monday with the publication of the call, and voters will cast their ballots to determine the club’s leadership for the next five-year term.
Laporta is expected to run for a new term, and several other candidates — including Víctor Font, Xavier Vilajoana and Marc Ciria — have already announced their intent to contest the presidency.
Laporta’s decision to resign and trigger elections while the men’s first team remains competitive in domestic and European competitions has drawn significant attention. Critics have described the timing as opportunistic, although Laporta maintains the timing is appropriate for the club’s institutional and sporting stability.
In announcing his departure from the presidency, Laporta emphasised the progress made during his tenure and his desire to continue guiding the club’s recovery on and off the pitch.
With the electoral countdown now official, potential candidates must gather the required number of member endorsements to qualify for the ballot. The new president and board will be elected by Barcelona club members on March 15 and are set to assume full office following the end of the current term on June 30.
The upcoming election is widely seen as one of the most consequential in the club’s recent history, taking place amid competitive success and ongoing financial and institutional challenges.