Progress at Camp Nou’s construction site means that the installation of the roof is drawing ever closer. This complex operation requires Barcelona to leave their home ground for at least four months. The club’s board is looking for alternatives, and with the expansion of Estadi Johan Cruyff ruled out, an obvious Plan B arises: Montjuïc.

Camp Nou’s “big lift”: a crucial phase and a logistical challenge

With the structure of the third tier now complete, the Camp Nou’s renovation is drawing ever closer to its most challenging phase: the installation of the roof. Barcelona is confident of completing work on the stands by spring 2027, and once the 2026/27 season is over, the big lift will begin.

To do this, the turf will need to be removed and heavy machinery brought onto the pitch, as the big lift involves lifting the roof structure step by step from the inside, using special cable and crane systems.

This will take between four and five months, which in itself would require the final matches of the 2026/27 season and the first few of the 2027/28 season for FC Barcelona to be played away from home. However, once the roof has been installed, the Estadi will have to pass further inspections in order to obtain the necessary permits. And, given the track record, further delays are possible. For this reason, the Blaugrana board is looking for a plan B.

© FC Barcelona / With the concrete structure of the third tier now complete, FC Barcelona hopes to be able to accommodate 80,000 spectators at Camp Nou by 2026.

The Estadi Johan Cruyff option, ruled out

In March, there was talk of a possible move to Estadi Johan Cruyff, where Barça had already played two matches in September. However, with barely 6,000 spectators, the home ground of Barça’s reserve team does not meet La Liga’s requirements. Although president Joan Laporta spoke of expanding it to 16,000, the mayor of Sant Joan Despí said that it was unfeasible.

The stadium must be compatible with the daily lives of local residents, and 16,000 spectators, given the stadium’s current state, is not feasible, he concluded, explaining that, according to studies, the capacity cannot exceed 10,000 seats.

The return to Montjuïc is on the table

That is why the Blaugrana board is already in contact with the Barcelona City Council to prepare for a possible return to Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys at Montjuïc. According to SER, at this stage it is merely an enquiry, not a formal booking.

Barça's board is reportedly keen to secure the magic mountain stadium until January or February 2028.

© MM Groundhopping / Barça have already played at the Lluís Companys stadium between 2022 and 2025.