FC Barcelona’s Camp Nou Return Delayed Until Late Next Season

BARCELONA, Spain — FC Barcelona may not return to its iconic Camp Nou until late next season, according to a report from local news outlet Beteve. The club closed the stadium in spring 2023 for extensive renovations, following a successful season under then-head coach Xavi Hernandez.

The plans initially aimed for a November 2024 reopening to coincide with Barcelona’s 125th anniversary. However, as construction challenges surfaced, the timeline shifted, with February and then May 2025 suggested as possible return dates.

Recent reports indicate that those deadlines are not feasible. SPORT journalist David Bernabeu noted that starting the 2025-2026 season in a partially completed Camp Nou may also be in doubt. Beteve’s sources revealed that some service providers at the stadium have been informed their activities will not resume until November 2025, a full year past the club’s original estimates.

This delay is particularly disappointing for the club’s supporters, known as Culers, who have been attending matches at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys since the renovation began. Fans have expressed frustration over the current venue’s atmosphere, which lacks the vibrancy of Camp Nou. The so-called ‘Animation Stand,’ a section known for its enthusiastic support, is absent at Montjuic, contributing to a less electric matchday experience.

All previously announced return dates have proven inaccurate, intensifying concerns over the renovation project’s timelines and financial implications. Barcelona had anticipated a return to the Camp Nou to bolster its midseason budget, yet recent statements by Institutional Vice-President Elena Fort suggest a significant delay is now unavoidable.

The Stadi Olímpic, which can host up to 55,000 fans, is nearly at capacity with the Camp Nou’s original attendance limit of about 60,000. However, the vast differences in matchday revenue from the two venues, coupled with exorbitant ticket prices aimed primarily at tourists, highlight the financial strain the club may face.

As Barcelona navigates this turbulent period, President Joan Laporta and Director of Football Deco must come to terms with the implications of a postponed return to Camp Nou, not just for fan engagement, but for the club’s financial health.