Barcelona Makes Bold Camp Nou Call Ahead of High-Stakes PSG Champions League Showdown

Barcelona and UEFA have announced that the Catalan club will stage their opening Champions League home match of the campaign at the unpopular Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, prolonging the extended wait for a Camp Nou comeback.

Hansi Flick's team welcomes reigning European titleholders Paris Saint-Germain on Oct. 1 and had anticipated returning to their iconic stadium for such a prestigious fixture. Regrettably for those eager to return, this marks another disappointment.

When Camp Nou initially began major reconstruction work after the 2022–23 season ended, early forecasts indicated a potential return as early as November 2024. Clearly, that timeline has not materialized.

Barcelona has spent the previous two campaigns making the journey up Montjuïc hill to witness their team in the austere concrete structure of the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys.

As the organization persistently struggled to secure the required licenses for their Camp Nou return, they were forced to stage their opening La Liga home match of this season at the 6,000-seat Estadi Johan Cruyff. This weekend's encounter against Getafe will likewise take place at the women's squad's regular home ground.

La Liga might have permitted Barcelona to circumvent domestic regulations, but the compact Cruyff facility falls far short of the capacity standards required for a Champions League match. Consequently, the club will return to Montjuïc for PSG's arrival next month.

"The Club remains dedicated to working tirelessly to secure the essential administrative approvals for the opening of Spotify Camp Nou in the immediate future," stated a Barcelona announcement. "FC Barcelona expresses gratitude to its members and supporters for their patience and backing throughout this intricate and thrilling journey toward returning to the new Spotify Camp Nou."

UEFA rules mandate that teams must conduct all four home league-phase matches at the identical location. Media reports suggest Barcelona hopes to find flexibility within that regulation, with Olympiacos' visit on Oct. 21 proposed as a possible comeback date. Notably, UEFA's official platform currently shows Camp Nou as the host venue for that game.

If Barcelona advances beyond the initial phase, they would be allowed to switch their home stadium before the elimination stages begin. The playoff round commences on Feb. 17, 2025 while the round of 16 kicks off on March 10.