Barcelona Forced to Delay Highly Anticipated Camp Nou Homecoming

Barcelona have officially announced they will be unable to return to Camp Nou for the upcoming Joan Gamper Trophy next month, as they have failed to secure the required permits to stage the match.

The Spanish champions had publicly declared last month their intention to return to Camp Nou for their traditional preseason encounter, anticipated to be against Italian club Como, while acknowledging the renovated venue would not operate at maximum capacity.

Nevertheless, concerns about this proposal surfaced almost instantly, with Barcelona committing to a comeback date without first satisfying local municipal officials and emergency response teams.

Barcelona have now officially retracted their plans to return to Camp Nou next month, offering no alternative timeline.

"FC Barcelona hereby announces the postponement of the inaugural match planned for the renovated Spotify Camp Nou, which was scheduled to align with the Joan Gamper Trophy on August 10," the official statement declared.

"This choice stems from the reality that essential construction work to satisfy the demands of the Municipal Construction Work Intervention Procedures Ordinance has prevented completion of the processes needed for obtaining the preliminary permit.

"More precisely, given the magnitude of the construction undertaken, it has proven impossible to fulfill all stipulations outlined by the licensing regulations, despite the club's goal to reopen the redeveloped stadium in phases.

"The organization is working closely with Barcelona City Council and appropriate agencies to advance the various requirements and will update its members and supporters regarding any fresh developments concerning the return timeline. This postponement does not impact the scheduled repayment plan for the Espai Barça financing.

"Additional details about the 2025 Joan Gamper Trophy edition, which will now take place at the Estadi Johan Cruyff, will be announced soon."