Barcelona Seeks Approval for Expanded Capacity at Spotify Camp Nou

Barcelona has officially submitted documentation to the Barcelona City Council seeking to expand the usable capacity of the Spotify Camp Nou, as reported by TV3. This application pertains to Phase 1C of the project, which aims to open additional sections of the first and second tiers for supporters.

The stadium, which reopened in November after over two and a half years of renovations, is currently operating at a limited capacity of approximately 46,000 spectators. This capacity was authorized following the club’s acquisition of a license for Phase 1B, which allowed matches to be held at their historic venue instead of the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys.

If Phase 1C receives approval, Barcelona would be able to unveil the remaining sections of the lower bowl behind the Gol Nord, increasing capacity by around 16,000 seats and bringing the total to approximately 62,000. Work on the third tier will continue into the next season, with full completion of the renovation still some time away.

The gradual reopening of Spotify Camp Nou is vital to Barcelona’s broader recovery strategy, both on and off the pitch. Matchday income has long been recognized as a cornerstone of the club’s financial structure, and the current limited capacity hampers the revenue potential from home fixtures during this transitional period.

Club leadership has consistently referred to the renovated stadium as the club’s ‘future engine,’ capable of generating hundreds of millions of euros annually once fully operational. Incrementally increasing capacity has a significant impact, not just through ticket sales, but also via hospitality, concessions, and commercial opportunities associated with larger crowds.

There is also a sporting aspect to consider, as playing in front of a fuller Camp Nou provides a psychological boost to the team and helps reconnect supporters with a venue that has been absent from their matchday experiences for years. For a club endeavoring to rebuild its identity after a tumultuous period, restoring the stadium’s presence and atmosphere is considered a crucial step forward.

The timing of this application is influenced by Barcelona’s fixture schedule around the turn of the year. With several weeks of away games due to La Liga fixtures, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup, this period creates a valuable opportunity for construction work to progress without disrupting matchdays.

Currently, Barcelona is not slated to play at home until January 25, when they will face Real Oviedo in their first home game of 2026. This match has become an informal target date for the approval and implementation of Phase 1C, enabling the expanded capacity to be utilized for the first time.

Looking ahead, the long-term vision remains ambitious. Once the third tier is completed, and the stadium reaches its ultimate planned capacity of around 105,000, the Spotify Camp Nou will reclaim its status as the largest football stadium in Europe. This final state is critical to the club’s forecasts, which anticipate a substantial increase in annual income generated from the stadium.

The immediate next step involves the Barcelona City Council reviewing the submitted documentation before deciding on the Phase 1C license request. Approval would facilitate the opening of the Gol Nord sections and allow Barcelona to welcome tens of thousands more fans back into the stadium.

Simultaneously, work will persist on the upper tier and other structural elements of the stadium, even while matches are held below. The club recognizes that the return to full capacity will be gradual, prioritizing safety and compliance over speed following previous delays in the project.