The Joan Gamper Trophy match, in which FC Barcelona will face Italian side Como on Sunday, August 10, coached by Cesc Fàbregas, will ultimately be played at the Estadi Johan Cruyff.

Lack of second permit

Barcelona city authorities were expected to inform the club this week about the granting of the so-called second license – for first use (Primera Ocupación), which was a necessary condition to allow even 30,000 spectators into the stadium. Ultimately, according to sources cited by Mundo Deportivo, the permit will not be issued. FC Barcelona had already admitted that holding the match at Camp Nou was unlikely, though no official confirmation had been made until now.

A few weeks earlier, the Ajuntament de Barcelona had approved the first license for operational and construction activity at Spotify Camp Nou, which raised hopes for the stadium's imminent reopening. However, with no decision on the second approval, optimism within the club faded. They even considered partially opening the stadium – only the main stand and the south stand (Gol Sud), while keeping the north (Gol Nord) and lateral stands closed due to poorer infrastructure conditions.

Neither Camp Nou nor Montjuïc

Estadi Johan Cruyff has a capacity of 6,000 spectators. Playing the match at Montjuïc was not considered, as a Blackpink concert is scheduled there for August 9. In fact, concerts at the venue are planned through September 12.

The official return to Spotify Camp Nou is now expected for the first home match in La Liga – against Valencia – to be played on the weekend of September 13–14, which is matchday four of the league season.

Let us recall that FC Barcelona had officially announced their return to Spotify Camp Nou on August 10 for the Joan Gamper Trophy match — but once again, reality turned out to be different. The club released an emotional video and declared a symbolic return home, yet the lack of necessary construction permits has derailed those plans. It is another instance where Barça’s promises fail to align with the facts, undermining trust in the stadium reconstruction timeline and casting doubt on the club’s communication surrounding such a significant event for the fans.

© FC Barcelona