In the stalls of the Gran Teatre del Liceu, something has changed this season. The days of an audience made up almost entirely of older patrons are becoming a thing of the past, and the balance of the 2025/2026 season confirms this with data in hand: audiences under 35 now account for 26% of all attendees, a historic record for an institution that just five years ago didn't even reach 20%. Opera is clearly attracting a new generation.
But this is just one piece of data from a season that has been outstanding at all levels. The Gran Teatre del Liceu has concluded the 2025/2026 season with record figures: 282,000 attendees, an average occupancy of 87%, and a budget of 55.8 million euros.
The great successes of the Liceu
Opera remained the theatre's main attraction, has once again demonstrated its power to attract, drawing more than 170,000 spectators around 15 different titles. The theatre hasn't enjoyed this level of success in years: classics like L’elisir d’amore and the original staging of Le nozze di Figaro nearly reached 58,000 spectators between the two.
But success is not limited to the operatic genre. Dance recorded its best figures of the past decade, gathering 32,000 attendees (89% occupancy), recitals and concerts have almost sold out with 88% attendance, and the Petit Liceu has celebrated its 25th anniversary, bringing together 58,000 families and schoolchildren.
The young audiences transforming the Liceu
But the big news this season is that, this year, the average age of non-subscribers is now 45 years old, and people under 35 now make up 26% of the total spectators of the Theater.
The reason for this generational renewal has a name: the LiceUnder35 community. This initiative has closed its best year since its launch, surpassing 19,000 young spectators through reduced-price tickets and 5 exclusive previews (Akhnaten, Balkan Erotic Epic, La Gioconda, Werther, and Le nozze di Figaro), every one of them sold out. This community has added 10,000 new members this academic year and now reaches 45,000 registrations with an average age of 28 years.
Own productions and the farewell of Josep Pons
In the scenic section, The season also delivered several artistic highlights. The world premiere of the new production of Tristan und Isolde, directed by Bárbara Lluch and with the debut of Lise Davidsen as Isolde, played to 98% capacity. Marta Pazos' visually striking production of Le nozze di Figaro also proved hugely successful (93% occupancy) fall behind, nor the impactful Balkan Erotic Epic by artist Marina Abramović.
The program has been completed with titles such as Akhnaten by Philip Glass, the celebration of the 20th anniversary of L'elisir d'amore by Mario Gas, or the voices of Xabier Anduaga in Werther, Asmik Grigorian in Manon Lescaut and Saioa Hernández in La Gioconda. In addition, recitals by stars such as Juan Diego Flórez, Roberto Alagna or Nadine Sierra, the debut of the New Year's Concert with the network of the Teatro La Fenice, and dance shows such as Giselle by the Bayerisches Staatsballett have once again confirmed the Liceu's place among Europe's leading opera houses.
The commitment to contemporary creation extended beyond the opera house itself, with the co-production of Els estunmen by Nao Albet and Marcel Borràs at the Teatre Lliure, or the fifth edition of the Òh!pera project at Fabra i Coats under the mentorship of Àlex Ollé.
The season has had a very emotional tone due to the farewell of Josep Pons as musical director of the Liceu after 14 years at the helm of the house. Pons has concluded his tenure directing Mahler's Symphony No. 8 with tickets completely sold out; the concert that put an end to his Mahler Universe cycle.
Liceu Mar: the great project of the Liceu
The great future project, the Liceu Mar, continues to move forward. It is the most ambitious project in the Liceu's recent history: the construction of a second venue located in the Port Vell of Barcelona. This new space does not intend to replace the historic building on La Rambla, but rather is intended to complement the historic theatre.
The space will host the future International Center for New Creation Opera, a hub for new scenic languages and emerging creators, and will become the new home of the Petit Liceu's educational programme. It will also allow for the establishment of a stable dance season and the programming of titles that do not fit the format of the traditional hall on La Rambla, such as chamber operas, musicals, or baroque pieces.
After the call for the international architecture competition in July 2025, the 5 finalist teams are already known, including internationally renowned practices such as SANAA, Snøhetta, Barozzi Veiga, Sou Fujimoto or David Chipperfield.
The winning proposal will be made public at the beginning of the 2026/27 season, and the designs will be exhibited within the framework of the World Capital of Architecture 2026. This new cultural space in Barcelona is expected to open its doors around 2032.
The Liceu brings an outstanding season to a close and has accomplished perhaps its greatest achievement: attracting a new generation of opera-goers. A record balance that endorses the economic and artistic management, and which also sets the bar very high for the next season. The curtain now falls for the summer break, but the city's passion for opera has never seemed stronger.