The FC Barcelona board acknowledges that the first team will not return to Camp Nou this season unless a miracle occurs, though no one believes in such a possibility anymore. Construction work is progressing slower than anticipated, and many issues remain unresolved.

Many unresolved issues

Sources within the club, cited by Marca, confirm that a return this season is almost impossible. Initially, there were plans to play one match at Spotify Camp Nou before the end of the year, specifically this Saturday's game against Atlético Madrid, but this proved entirely unfeasible. Later, it was suggested that the team would not return before early February due to UEFA Champions League regulations requiring all group stage matches to be held at the same stadium. Now, even a return in early March seems unrealistic.

Key technical issues remain unresolved, such as preparing emergency exits, which are proving difficult to finalize on time. Another issue is the pitch itself—installation is planned for mid-January, but the grass needs approximately two months to root properly. This means the field would not be ready until mid-March. This creates another problem with UEFA rules, which stipulate that all matches in the Champions League knockout stage must also be held at the same stadium.

If not by March 11, then only in autumn?

Should Barcelona need to play in the playoffs for a spot in the Champions League Round of 16, a return to Camp Nou this season would be impossible, as this stage takes place in mid-February, and the stadium will certainly not be ready. However, the team is currently well-positioned and likely to qualify directly for the Round of 16, scheduled for March 11. Even in this scenario, Camp Nou would barely be ready on time. However, the logistical preparations required for such a match pose another hurdle, as they need to be finalized well in advance. This makes it highly unlikely that everything could be ready for that date.

© Dani Pardo "Cosas cotidianas" | Construction of Spotify Camp Nou

Consequently, the chances of the team returning to Camp Nou this season are practically nonexistent, at least for European competitions. The stadium does not meet UEFA requirements, which force clubs to predefine match venues. The FC Barcelona board’s position is becoming increasingly clear: citing unexpected delays, they are likely to announce a return in September.

Challenging negotiations with the City Council

To continue playing at Montjuïc, the club must reach an agreement with the City Council of Barcelona. It’s worth noting that the venue is scheduled to host several concerts in the spring and summer, potentially making an extension of its use impossible. At best, the club would need to compensate concert organizers for rescheduling their events.

© Stadionvoyeur | Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys (Estadi Olímpic de Montjuïc)

The club's management is preparing a contingency plan

The FC Barcelona board is looking for a replacement venue. The first searches have focused on Catalunya, but the options are limited. Camp d'Esports de Lleida, Nou Estadi Costa Daurada, and Estadi Montilivi are very small stadiums. In reality, the only viable option is Espanyol's stadium, which meets all UEFA requirements and has a capacity of 40,000 people. However, internal resistance is very strong. There are people in the club who support the idea of moving to Cornellà, but there are also voices that do not want to play at the local rival’s stadium.

Other options the club is considering include moving to Valencia or Madrid. Mestalla is another stadium that meets all UEFA requirements and has the appropriate capacity. The same applies to the Metropolitano, where Atlético Madrid plays, but the issue is the distance, which is twice as far as Valencia.

© valenciacf.es | Mestalla