Camp Nou return delayed again amid permit holdup
Barcelona’s plan to move back into Camp Nou has been pushed further into the future as authorities have not yet granted the final permissions required to resume use of the renovated stadium. The Catalan club started the extensive redevelopment in the summer of 2023 with high hopes of reopening in time for the 2024-25 season and to coincide with the club’s 125th anniversary. But the project remains mired in regulatory hurdles, with the evacuation plan and other safety requirements among the items awaiting approval from the city council.
What is delaying the project?
Behind the scenes, several regulatory steps are still pending. The club identifies the evacuation plan as a key piece that must be cleared for the stadium to host tens of thousands of fans again. Renovation costs have been estimated at roughly 16.5 billion kronor (about 1.5 billion euros), reflecting a modernization that aims to upgrade facilities, seating, accessibility, and safety standards to meet contemporary expectations. Although work on the stadium has progressed significantly, the remaining approvals mean the return date cannot be set with confidence.
Where is Barcelona playing while Camp Nou is closed?
With Camp Nou unavailable, Barcelona has had to adjust its home schedule. This season the club has played two La Liga matches at the Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam, a venue with a far smaller capacity of around 6,000. For European fixtures, the plan has been to stage matches at alternate venues while the renovation remains ongoing, with the upcoming Champions League game against Olympiakos scheduled to be played at the Olympiastadion in Berlin rather than at Camp Nou. Earlier this week, Barcelona also faced Paris Saint-Germain at the same venue, a result that underscored the challenges of competing away from their traditional home.
Implications for Europe and the fixture list
The decision to move European matches to external venues has rippled through both the club’s schedule and its travel plans. The Olympiakos clash, in particular, will be a test of how Barcelona adapts to an unfamiliar environment as they await clearance to return to Camp Nou. While the current arrangement keeps high-level competition on the calendar, the absence of a full, 105,000-seat Camp Nou can affect matchday revenue, fan experience, and the atmosphere that accompanies European nights.
What fans can expect next
At this stage there is no confirmed reopening date. Barcelona remains hopeful that once the necessary permits are issued, the renovated Camp Nou can open its doors to a capacity of roughly 105,000 spectators. Until then, supporters should prepare for further matches at alternative venues or in reduced-spectator environments, as the club navigates the final regulatory steps required to complete one of European football’s most ambitious stadium projects.
