Barcelona have confirmed that their return to the esteemed Nou Camp following renovations worth more than £1billion has yet again been delayed.
The Spanish giants had hoped to reopen their revamped home in time for the first match after the international break in mid-September, but they failed to secure the required licence from the city council.
It was expected that the LaLiga game against Valencia would take place inside the iconic ground in front of a limited capacity after months of work to improve its infrastructure.
The game instead, though, took place at the tiny Estadi Johan Cruyff, which holds just 6,000 fans. That left supporters wondering when they will be able to return home, with LaLiga keen to be kept updated.
Now, the club have released a statement saying that their stadium still isn’t ready, and that a Champions League game penned into be hosted at the ground – which will not take place for nearly three weeks – will be played elsewhere.
The statement read: ‘FC Barcelona announces that the third match corresponding to the Champions League group stage, on Tuesday, October 21, at 6:45 p.m., against Olympiacos, will be played at the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium. Barca have also played their while they wait for their home to be ready for their return.
Barcelona’s return to the Nou Camp has been delayed yet again as they seek the relevant licences
Barca had hoped to return home following £1.25billion redevelopments earlier on this season
‘The Club continues to work to obtain the necessary administrative permits for the opening of the Spotify Camp Nou in the coming dates. Within this framework, FC Barcelona is working on the new amendments that Barcelona City Council shared with the Club last week.
‘FC Barcelona would like to thank its members and supporters for their understanding and support in such a complex and exciting process as the return to the new Spotify Camp Nou.’
It marks the latest setback in the £1.25billion redevelopment of the famous stadium, which has already suffered multiple delays.
Barca were originally scheduled to return last November, before revised deadlines of February and May this year also slipped. Their plan to stage the Joan Gamper Trophy at the Nou Camp in August was also abandoned due to the same issue.
The works, which began in 2023, are aimed at increasing capacity to 105,000 while adding new corporate facilities and a roof. Until construction is complete in 2026, the Nou Camp will operate at a reduced capacity of around 50,000 to 60,000. For now, even that is out of reach.
LaLiga have been informed of the situation, with Barcelona unable to obtain the ‘First Occupancy Licence’ required to welcome fans back into the ground. The city council has made clear it cannot grant permission until the club has presented a final works certificate, something still outstanding.
It leaves Barca scrambling to try and get the stadium ready as soon as possible as they continue to miss out on monetary gains by hosting games at their original home.
UEFA rules also state that a club must play all of their Champions League league games at the same ground, but it remains unclear whether an exception will be made for Barca.
