The Barca Experience Haikou opens to the public in Hainan, Nov. 18, 2018. (Photo/Screenshot of CNS TV)
(ECNS) -- The Barca Experience Haikou, a Barcelona Football Club themed center in China, opened on Sunday in the coastal city of Haikou, Hainan Province.
It is the first center opened to the public since the Barcelona Football Club was founded 119 years ago.
Covering an area of 4,000 square meters, the facility has an interactive experience center, an official store, a Barcelona Elite Football Academy, and a Barcelona-themed dining zone that is under construction.
It is by far the largest experience center owned by the club overseas.
Li Xixun, director of the center, said the Barcelona team will visit the center during a summer tour in 2019.
Visitors can have a digital experience, such as taking free kicks against goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen in virtual reality games.
In China, interest in football and Barcelona is growing rapidly. The opening of the center gives fans the opportunity to experience Barcelona's culture in Hainan, Li said, adding that he hopes fans can feel they are part of the Barcelona family in Haikou.
In recent years, Hainan has accelerated its internationalization process and cooperation with sports giants. The "NBA Interactive Experience Center" opened in Haikou on Friday, the first long-term exhibition and interactive event by NBA China.
