Delay confirmed as permits await approval
Barcelona has confirmed that the plan to return to Camp Nou after the long renovation is on hold while essential permits are still being processed. The club had hoped to welcome Olympiakos back to an upgraded Camp Nou in the Champions League on October 21, but approval from local authorities remains incomplete, delaying the grand homecoming a second time.
The absence of final clearance means the 105,000-seat arena cannot be occupied yet, despite the renovation work being largely complete on paper. Barcelona notes that the readiness of the stadium’s evacuation plan and other safety procedures are among the items yet to receive municipal validation.
Why the return is delayed
The core issue cited by Barça is the evacuation plan, which has to meet the approvals of the city council (kommunfullmäktige). This plan is crucial for any large-capacity venue, ensuring safe and orderly egress for tens of thousands of fans in match-day scenarios. Without the green light on this and related safety certifications, the club cannot commit to a fixed return date, even if construction milestones have been met.
Renovation scope and past timeline
The project, announced in 2023 and costing around 16.5 billion Swedish kronor (roughly 1.5 billion euros), aimed to restore Camp Nou to a modern, world-class stadium while preserving its iconic status. Work began in the summer of 2023 with the initial plan to reopen in November 2024 to coincide with Barça’s 125th anniversary. That milestone has come and gone, and the revised timeline remains unclear as regulatory hurdles persist.
Impact on Barça’s schedule
With the return to Camp Nou postponed, Barcelona has had to adapt its home fixtures. The Olympiakos match in the Champions League has been moved away from the renovated stadium and is currently scheduled to be played at the Olympiastadion, a venue that hosted the club’s recent European clash against Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) earlier in the week. The disruption also extends to domestic play; this season Barça has staged two La Liga matches at the Johan Cruyff Stadium, which has a much smaller capacity of around 6,000, highlighting the mismatch between the club’s ambitions and the current temporary arrangements.
What comes next
Barça officials emphasise ongoing communication with municipal authorities and a commitment to addressing the remaining safety and logistical concerns as quickly as possible. Until the evacuation plan—and any other required approvals—are signed off, the club will continue to operate away from Camp Nou, adjusting schedules and logistics accordingly. Fans are urged to follow official Barça channels for the latest updates on when the stadium will reopen and what matches might be affected in the interim.
Outlook for supporters and the club
The delayed return to Camp Nou adds pressure on the club to deliver a seamless, safe reintroduction of a stadium that is not only a symbol of Barça but also a major financial engine. While the renovation promises a modern, capacious home for domestic and European fixtures, the waiting game underscores the importance of robust regulatory approvals in large-scale sporting projects. As siempre, Barcelona remains hopeful that authorities will grant clearance soon, allowing the 105,000-seat Camp Nou to resume its role as one of Europe’s football cathedrals.
