- The Catalan giants have been playing away from their historic home since 2023
- Work was initially tipped to be completed in November 2024, and then May 2025
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Barcelona will return to the Nou Camp ahead of the 2025-26 campaign – but the renovated ground will only be partially opened, the club has announced.
The Joan Gamper Trophy, the LaLiga giants’ annual exhibition match, will mark the club’s return to their famous stadium on August 10 as work concludes on the £1.25billion project.
The Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys has been Barca home since 2023, with the original date for the club’s return to the Nou Camp set for their 125th anniversary on November 29, 2024.
However, the club has continually pushed back their homecoming due to slow progression on construction. Though a return has now been confirmed, in a statement on Wednesday, the club revealed that work will continue in various areas of the stadium.
These include the completion of the new third tier, the dual VIP ring and the roof installation. Additionally, ‘final touches’ will be made to interior spaces as well as the development of the stadium’s surrounding areas.
When refurbishments of the Spotify Nou Camp eventually come to an end, it will become the single largest sports venue in the entirety of Europe, with a capacity of 105,000.
Barcelona will return to the Nou Camp ahead of the 2025-26 campaign – but the renovated ground will only be partially opened. Pictured: Barca president Joan Laporte
The club released a jazzy promo video to accompany the announcement which included a few glimpses of the new-look arena
When refurbishments of the Spotify Nou Camp eventually come to an end, it will become the single largest sports venue in the entirety of Europe
Once completed the stadium will reportedly use green energy sources through 18,000m2 of solar panels
The club released a jazzy promo video to accompany the announcement which included a few glimpses of the new-look arena. But earlier this year, fans were able to enjoy two incredible time-lapses of both the inside and the outside of the ground.
Builders could be seen working through the night with seats finally being put into place across the stands.
Barcelona’s determination to return to their ground before work is complete bolsters claims of the financial hit the side has taken in the years away from the ground. The club have been in dire financial straits for a number of years. The costly renovation of the Nou Camp will allow the club to rake in millions.
Revenues at the Olympic Stadium are considerably lower than what they will enjoy when refurbishments are finished.
Once completed the stadium will reportedly use green energy sources through 18,000m2 of solar panels, producing its own energy and generating zero CO2 emissions.
