Design & Development

Barcelona’s return to Camp Nou delayed again

Featured image credit: Espai Barca

FC Barcelona has further delayed its return to the Spotify Camp Nou after informing fans that it will continue to play matches at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys until at least April 23.

Barcelona has been playing at the Estadi Olímpic since the start of the 2023-24 season while the Camp Nou undergoes major redevelopment work. The Camp Nou’s capacity is increasing to 105,000, with the venue also being fitted with a new roof.

Initially, Barcelona had planned on moving back into a partially open Camp Nou midway through the current season, but in November the club’s return was pushed back until mid-February.

It has now been confirmed that the club will not return home until May at the earliest. In an email to supporters on Friday, Barcelona announced the extension of the season ticket for the Estadi Olímpic until April 23, the date of the club’s LaLiga match against RCD Mallorca.

The extension will cover all league matches, as well as fixtures in the UEFA Champions League and Copa del Rey. Barcelona’s next scheduled home match after April 23 is against Real Madrid on May 11, although this could change if the club progresses to the latter stages of the Champions League.

The situation could also be complicated by a scheduled Rolling Stones gig at the Estadi Olímpic on the same weekend Barcelona is due to play Real Madrid. If the Camp Nou is not ready by then, one of the events would have to be rescheduled.

Fans who purchased a season ticket for the Estadi Olímpic will be able to activate the latest extension regardless of when they purchased the first extension. Other fans wishing to attend matches at the Estadi Olímpic can purchase tickets on a match-by-match basis.

Members who purchased a season ticket for the return to the Camp Nou will find that the proportional price of matches not played at the stadium will be discounted from the stated total price.

In October, Barcelona revealed that the capacity of the Camp Nou is expected to be around 62,000 when it reopens. In December, the club presented a sustainable mobility plan for fans entering the new-look stadium.

The Camp Nou is on track to be fully ready by 2026.