Barcelona Announces Camp Nou Return Plan Amid Construction Delays

Barcelona have requested an extension to their use of the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium amid concerns over delays in the construction work at Camp Nou.

The renovation of Barcelona’s iconic venue has encountered substantial delays. Initially scheduled for completion before the end of 2024, the timeline was extended to February 2025.

However, recent updates indicate that additional setbacks have made a return by then highly unlikely, with late March now being the earliest possible timeframe for reopening.

The dilemma for Barcelona is that UEFA rules state clubs must play all their home games at the same stadium in the Champions League knockout stages.

Camp Nou is not expected to be ready in time for the beginning of the round of 16 in early March. Additionally, their temporary venue is fully booked for Champions League matches later in the tournament, as Barcelona did not anticipate the need for such an extended stay.

However, those other plans have now fallen through, and Barcelona has now formally requested the use of the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium until the end of the season as a fall-back if Camp Nou is not ready in time.

“FC Barcelona will ask BSM to extend the occupancy and operation of the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys until 20 May, although the club’s objective of wanting to play matches this season at the Spotify Camp Nou remains,” a club statement read.

“The Club has learned that BSM’s reservation of the facility from May for a musical event will most likely not be made effective.

“Therefore, the non-confirmation of an event that the Olympic Ring had reserved opens the possibility that FC Barcelona can play until the last La Liga match at the Olympic Stadium.

“The Club wishes to emphasize that the main objective is to play matches at the end of the season at the Spotify Camp Nou, and efforts will therefore be intensified to achieve this objective.”

There was first speculation that Barcelona’s hosting of Real Madrid for the second Clasico of the season might be relocated to Wembley.

This consideration arose due to Rolling Stones concerts scheduled for May 10 and May 15 at the Olympic Stadium, with the former taking place just a day before the match is set to occur.