More delay? Barca won't return to Camp Nou until 2025-26

Barcelona fans will have to wait longer than expected for a return to the legendary Camp Nou. The ongoing renovations mean the team’s temporary exile at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys will extend well into the 2025-26 season. Initially slated for a November 2024 return, delays now push this timeline further. Thus, the club’s leaders have been offering only tentative estimates on a new reopening date. This protracted relocation has far-reaching effects on club finances and fan mood in addition to derailing the team’s ambitions.

The club embarked on an ambitious project to transform Camp Nou into the largest stadium in Europe in 2023. Capacity will exceed 100,000. As part of this overhaul, they temporarily relocated to the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys. It was once the central venue for the 1992 Olympics. The move came with the hope that the Blaugrana would return to Camp Nou at 60% capacity in November 2024. It was supposed to be just in time for the club’s 125th anniversary celebration on November 29. However, what seemed like a realistic plan has proven too optimistic as project complexities have emerged.

The club’s President, Joan Laporta, recently addressed the delay on a Barca One Podcast. “We’ll return to Camp Nou at the start of 2025,” though he refrained from committing to any specific date. Vice President Elena Fort added, “There are no exact dates to return to the stadium. We can’t confirm anything right now, but we are on the right path”. These statements reflect the club’s effort to manage expectations as setbacks continue to arise.

UEFA regulations and strategic scheduling

One of the most significant obstacles facing Barcelona’s return involves UEFA regulations. Current rules prevent teams from using two different stadiums during the Champions League group phase. This restriction compels Barcelona to host its January 29, 2025, home match against Atalanta at Montjuic, complicating plans for a midseason transition back to Camp Nou.

Barcelona is now eyeing its first possible home game at Camp Nou on February 2, 2025, following the Champions League group phase. In the interim, the club is also extending its lease at Montjuic as a contingency plan to avoid further complications. While the club’s contract with the city allows them to remain at Montjuic until March 2025, it remains to be seen if that deadline will need further adjustment.

The club’s extended stay at Montjuic has led to significant financial consequences, with revenue losses surpassing $108 million annually, according to club statements. The temporary stadium’s smaller capacity and associated logistical adjustments have hindered Barcelona’s usual revenue streams from ticket sales, hospitality, and stadium-related business. The renovations, while integral to Camp Nou’s future profitability, are undoubtedly impacting Barcelona’s current fiscal health.

Long wait for complete Camp Nou

Barcelona fans may need to wait until the 2026-27 season for the full unveiling of the remodeled Camp Nou. When completed, the stadium promises to be a modern sports marvel, housing over 100,000 fans and offering cutting-edge facilities.

This redevelopment will not only reinforce Camp Nou’s status as an iconic sports venue but also help the club secure a more sustainable and profitable future. For now, however, the Blaugrana continues its journey at Montjuic, striving to maintain momentum both in La Liga and in European competitions, despite these logistical and financial challenges.

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