FC Barcelona Prepares for Classic Amid Stadium Uncertainty

Barcelona, Spain — FC Barcelona is set to host Real Madrid at Lluís Companys Stadium during this year’s classic on the weekend of May 10-11. The club has been preparing for this event, knowing that their return to Camp Nou will not happen as quickly as hoped.

There were discussions around reopening Camp Nou earlier this year, but recent construction updates indicate that it will not be feasible. While the stadium can be ready from a construction standpoint, securing the necessary permits remains uncertain. The club has expressed confidence in reaching an agreement with the city council.

The scheduling of the classic primarily stems from the availability of Montjuïc Stadium, which was initially booked for a concert by the Rolling Stones. Fortunately for Barça, that concert was canceled, allowing them to play at the stadium until the end of the season.

Days leading up to the classic were tense for the club. BSM, the company managing the Olympic ring venues, was reluctant to cancel the concert contract due to potential financial losses and reputational damage. The club even considered holding matches at alternative venues, including Johan Cruyff Stadium or Mestalla, but these proposals were quickly dismissed.

As the January 30 deadline for the Rolling Stones’ cancellation approached, FC Barcelona announced that they would offer season ticket holders an option to extend their subscriptions for the May matches. They have also started selling VIP products—with prices reaching up to 3,000 euros per seat, which includes catering before, during, and after the game.

Ticket sales have been booming, paving the way for expected attendance records. Given the team’s successful season, sales have risen sharply, hoping to surpass the 10 million euros generated from the last classic match.

As fans eagerly await the showdown, a pressing question looms: will this be the last classic played at Montjuïc? Club officials remain noncommittal about the exact return date to Camp Nou, aiming for a mid-September 2025 timeline depending on the permission process, which faces skepticism from city officials.

Although the first phase of construction at Camp Nou is on schedule for July 31, the ability to secure reopening approvals poses an ongoing challenge. There have been discussions about dismantling the facilities at Montjuïc to prepare for future concerts, and two are already scheduled for later this year.

As of now, the last words from the club indicate optimism, yet the future remains uncertain regarding the possible return to Montjuïc for subsequent matches.