Barcelona Revises Camp Nou Return Strategy Once More

The Catalan club Barcelona announced on Tuesday their revised intention to move back to the redeveloped Camp Nou stadium exclusively upon securing approval for an interim capacity of 45,000 spectators.

This decision follows a recent delay of their anticipated return to the iconic venue originally scheduled for November 2024 but postponed multiple times.

Earlier, the team had aimed to resume matches at the venue after obtaining a permit for 27,000 attendees a target they hoped to meet last month.

Opting to await a higher interim capacity is likely to prolong the reopening of one of Europe's most renowned stadiums amid ongoing renovation challenges.

The project to rebuild Camp Nou is estimated to cost 1.5 billion euros ($1.75 billion) with the club facing repeated setbacks during construction.

Barcelona stated in a release that despite expecting the initial occupancy certificate for Phase 1A shortly the club will focus on returning to Spotify Camp Nou once Phase 1B is licensed enabling 45,000 spectators without specifying a timeline.

The team were obliged to play two early season fixtures at their 6,000-seater Johan Cruyff training facility after failing to secure the required permit for Camp Nou.

In September the city council declined to grant Barcelona permission to return to the stadium citing safety concerns ahead of its eventual completion at 105,000 seats.

Barcelona announced on Tuesday that their upcoming La Liga fixture against Girona on October 18 will be held at the Olympic stadium on Montjuic hill.

The club utilised this venue for home games during the past two seasons and returned there late September after their brief stint at the smaller Johan Cruyff facility.

Barca previously confirmed their next Champions League match versus Olympiakos on October 21 will also take place at Montjuic with subsequent home fixtures against Elche on November 2 and Athletic Bilbao on November 23 scheduled there.