Barcelona Approaches Camp Nou Return Amid Renovations

Barcelona conducted an open training session at Spotify Camp Nou on Friday, drawing a crowd of 23,000 supporters as the club moves closer to resuming play at their iconic stadium.

The team has not played at Camp Nou since 2023, having temporarily relocated to the Olympic Stadium to facilitate a €1.5 billion renovation of the venue.

This training session served as a trial event in anticipation of an official return, which the club hopes will coincide with either the LaLiga match against Athletic Club on November 22 or the encounter with Alavés on November 29, marking the club’s 126th anniversary.

Should these plans fall through, Barcelona is set to face Atlético Madrid in the league on December 2.

The specific date for their return will depend on the city council granting the necessary permits to allow matches with a maximum capacity of 45,401 fans. Currently, the club holds a license for 25,991 spectators, which was granted in October, and they are awaiting a larger capacity before officially resuming matches.

Renovation efforts are ongoing, with the first two tiers nearing completion, while work continues on the third tier and the roof. The projected completion date for the entire project is 2027, with the stadium’s capacity expected to gradually increase to 105,000.

After the training session, President Joan Laporta expressed his desire to welcome former Barça star Lionel Messi back to the club for the full inauguration of the renovated stadium. “It would be a great way to open the stadium, with 105,000 packed in and paying tribute to Leo,” he remarked, noting that the possibility would depend on Messi’s interest and future presidential elections.

Messi’s departure from Barcelona in the summer of 2021 was abrupt, lacking a proper farewell due to the haste of his exit and COVID-19 restrictions.

To date, Messi has not publicly addressed the prospect of returning to participate in any commemorative match.

The anticipation for Barcelona’s return to Camp Nou has extended beyond initial expectations, with the club initially aiming for a return by the end of 2024. Plans were reevaluated earlier this year, eventually targeting a return at the beginning of the current season in September. However, delays in securing the necessary permits required the team to start their season at the 6,000-capacity Estadi Johan Cruyff, before eventually moving back to the Olympic Stadium for their last five home matches. The club hopes their recent victory over Elche will mark their final game at that location.