FC Barcelona is counting down the days to the start of the new La Liga season in front of its home fans, but the return is still uncertain. The stadium’s renovation faces further delays, the club is struggling to obtain an operating license, and relations with its main sponsor remain tense.

Three scenarios, none confirmed

The match against Valencia, scheduled for the weekend of 13–14 September in the third round of La Liga, still has no confirmed venue. The club has yet to obtain the first permit to use Camp Nou, and the list of possible venues is down to three: Estadi Johan Cruyff, Camp Nou, and Estadi Lluís Companys.

Estadi Johan Cruyff option seems the least realistic – with just 6,000 seats, well below La Liga’s minimum requirement of 8,000, and lacking VAR. Playing there would mean access for only 7% of socios, making it technically and logistically unviable.

Camp Nou still not ready

A return to Camp Nou would be the dream solution, but reality is far less optimistic. On 6 August, Barcelona City Council approved the club’s request to open the stadium in phases, enabling a partial license and a match against Valencia at reduced capacity.

However, the first inspection by the European Club Association revealed more than 200 defects preventing public access. Without a final building certificate – due to be submitted in the coming days – the chances of a September reopening are rapidly diminishing.

Montjuïc to the rescue? Post Malone stands in the way

This leaves Estadi Lluís Companys, Barcelona’s current temporary home, as the most likely option. The obstacle is a Post Malone concert on 12 September – just two days before the match. The short turnaround complicates preparations for a football game.

Mayor Jaume Collboni may seek a solution by moving the concert to Palau Sant Jordi (capacity 17,960). Ticket sales for the Montjuïc event have not surpassed 15,000, making a transfer technically feasible.

Pressure from Spotify and La Liga

Delays in returning to Camp Nou also pose financial risks. Main sponsor Spotify, which holds stadium naming rights and appears on the shirts, could seek to renegotiate terms. The deal includes reduced payments during reconstruction (€5m per year), rising to €20m annually only from year five, after completion. If the stadium remains closed at the start of the season, Spotify may argue the agreement has been breached.

UEFA regulations add another complication, prohibiting a mid-season stadium change in the Champions League – meaning Barcelona must soon decide if European matches can be held at Camp Nou or remain at Montjuïc.

The lack of a Camp Nou return would also hit VIP box revenue, crucial for meeting La Liga’s 1:1 financial fair play rule, which ties transfer spending to equivalent savings or earnings. Without these funds, registering new signings – including Marcus Rashford and Joan García – may prove impossible.

Tweet FC Barcelona https://x.com/fcbarcelona/status/1955539822962991236

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) May 12, 2025

Symbolic images and the new Grada d’Animació

Barcelona is still pushing for a September reopening, sharing night-time photos of pitch irrigation and lighting tests to suggest the first tier is nearly finished. The biggest challenges remain stadium access and surrounding infrastructure, which must be declared safe for spectators.

Despite the delays, details have emerged about the future supporters’ section at Camp Nou. The Grada d’Animació will move from Gol Nord to Gol Sud and allow safe standing while maintaining assigned places – similar to solutions used in Dortmund and Bilbao and compliant with FIFA and UEFA rules.

The new section will hold around 1,300 fans. Vice-president Elena Fort announced changes to involve more young supporters, and the club has consulted members to ensure the project’s success.

© FC Barcelona