Barcelona Finally Discovers When They'll Return to Iconic Camp Nou
Barcelona are said to be ready to finally make their much-anticipated comeback to Camp Nou in their opening match following the international break.
Regarding their homecoming, supporters of the Catalan club have endured more disappointing delays than a character in a never-ending story. Barcelona were originally expected to return to their familiar ground by November 2024. Ten months later, they continue to wait.
Renovation work on the legendary stadium commenced following the 2022–23 season, compelling Barcelona to make the journey up Montjuïc hill and compete at the former Olympic Stadium from the 1992 Games throughout the past two campaigns. This has not only represented a financial setback for the club during a period of strict economic management—no venue will generate as much revenue as a packed Camp Nou with its massive capacity—but the matchday atmosphere has been notably weakened in their temporary home.
The club formally declared they would return to Camp Nou for their final preseason friendly in August, only to hastily abandon those arrangements due to failing to obtain the required permits.
The club's opening three league matches of the new season have been arranged away from home to provide maximum time to secure the necessary paperwork before Valencia's visit to Catalonia on Sep. 14. There were some worries that Barcelona might need to stage that match at the 6,000-capacity Estadi Johan Cruyff, but it seems the Camp Nou return is back on track.
Club representatives are reportedly "completely certain" they will obtain the final construction approval by Wednesday at the latest, according to SPORT. Marketing content for the Camp Nou return has already been produced, showing president Joan Laporta positioned flat on his back in the center circle.
At first, Barcelona will only accommodate 27,000 supporters for Valencia's arrival. The subsequent phase of the renovation should allow 45,000 spectators by late October while 60,000 could enter the continuously expanding stadium in November.
It's believed that complete construction will require another two years to finish.