Spain: Barça may return to Camp Nou in May!

source: StadiumDB.com; author: Jakub Ducki

Spain: Barça may return to Camp Nou in May! FC Barcelona are struggling with delays in construction work at Spotify Camp Nou, forcing an extension of the use of the Estadi Olímpic de Montjuïc. However, the club remains optimistic about returning to its home stadium in May. It is important to remember, however, that each subsequent delay may make the prospect of returning to Les Corts only in the next season more likely.

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Contract extension at Montjuïc

FC Barcelona has asked the municipal company Barcelona de Serveis Municipals (BSM), responsible for managing Estadi Olímpic de Montjuïc, to extend the contract for the use of the facility until the end of April. The current contract runs until March 31, but due to delays in work at Spotify Camp Nou, the club wants to guarantee that matches can be played at Montjuïc for another month.

BSM's decision is crucial because from May, Estadi Lluís Companys will begin to serve as a venue for major music events. Planned concerts such as Guns N' Roses on June 9, as well as other events already planned, require advance preparation, which would prevent the Blaugrana team from continuing to use the facility.

FC Barcelona seeks to extend the agreement allowing the use of the Montjuïc stadium.© MM Groundhopping | FC Barcelona seeks to extend the agreement allowing the use of the Montjuïc stadium.

Plan for May - return to Spotify Camp Nou

Despite the adversity, Barça remains optimistic. The club hopes to complete the work and open the stadium in May, which would allow the last matches of the season to be played at Spotify Camp Nou. Of particular importance is the date of May 10-11, when El Clásico is scheduled. This match is expected to be the symbolic opening of the renovated stadium.

The first phase of use of the modernised facility assumes the availability of the two lower rings with a total capacity of 60,000 seats. Final permission to open the stadium is subject to the approval of the evacuation and safety plans by the Barcelona Fire Brigade and the completion of key construction milestones, such as the installation of turf, scheduled to take place a month and a half before the first match.

The return to Camp Nou will happen no earlier than May.© Dani Pardo "Cosas cotidianas" | The return to Camp Nou will happen no earlier than May.

Key construction milestones and schedule risks

The progress of work at Spotify Camp Nou is essential to avoid further delays. Work is currently underway on the foundations of the third tier of stands, the construction of which must be completed by the end of May. This is a key part of the schedule as it will allow the next stage to begin - a process known as the Big Lift.

Big Lift involves raising the cabling of the future stadium roof. This operation will take three months of the summer (June-August), and any delay could postpone the completion of construction for up to another season. Furthermore, while this process is underway, the stadium cannot be used as a venue, which will potentially affect the dates of matches such as the Joan Gamper Trophy or the first games of the new La Liga season.

Champions League in two different stadiums

According to information reported by Mundo Deportivo, UEFA sees no obstacle to the Champions League semi-finals being held at the Spotify Camp Nou, even if earlier rounds such as the 1/8 finals and quarter-finals would be played at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys. A key condition UEFA imposes on clubs is that all matches in the league phase must take place at the same venue. Thus, a change of stadium would only be possible in the knockout phase.

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