Barcelona receive worrying stadium update as new issue emerges that will DELAY return to £1.25bn Nou Camp

The Sun

17-07-2025

BARCELONA'S highly-anticipated return to the Nou Camp has been delayed AGAIN.
Barca left their famous stadium in 2023 and have since been playing at the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium.
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The legendary ground, which will be renamed the Spotify Camp Nou, is undergoing reconstruction worth a staggering £1.25billion that will see it hold a capacity of around 105,000 - the highest in Europe.
The Blaugrana were initially hoping to return in time for the club's 125th anniversary in November 2024, with president Joan Laporta then claiming they would be back in the stadium by March.
But the Catalan giants ended up finishing the season at the Olympic Stadium.
Barcelona hoped they would finally return to their new and improved ground on August 10 in time for the annual pre-season Joan Gamper Trophy match, this year against Como.
According to Marca, however, that scenario is growing increasingly unlikely, although a decision will be finalised in the next few days.
A new issue has emerged and that is down to licensing problems, which are now preventing the Spanish champions from returning home.
Barcelona are still waiting to receive an occupancy permit from the city council, which is required to host the exhibition match against Cesc Fabregas ' team.
The council has previously stated it can't grant a licence until the stadium works are fully completed.
The completion of a new third tier, a roof installation, interior spaces and development of the stadium's surrounding areas remains to be dealt with.
Barcelona are now targeting September 14 as the newest return date.
That is when Hansi Flick 's men host Valencia in LaLiga in their first home match of the upcoming season.
But even when it reopens, the Nou Camp will be at a lower capacity between 50,000 to 60,000 until renovations are complete by the start of the 2026/27 campaign.