Barcelona’s Camp Nou Return Blocked Over Safety Concerns

‎Barcelona’s attempt to host Sunday’s LaLiga clash with Real Sociedad at the Camp Nou has been rejected by the city council.

‎Officials cited safety and security concerns at the redeveloped stadium as the reason for denying the permit. The club had hoped to return to a reduced-capacity ground with 27,000 fans in attendance.

‎Barca will instead host the match at the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium in Montjuic, where they played during the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons with renovations at Camp Nou now nine months behind schedule.

‎”We have spotted different elements that need to be fixed and impact the safety and security of the stadium,” chief of civil protection Sebastia Massague said at a city council meeting.

‎Barca kicked off their La Liga home campaign at the Estadi Johan Cruyff, located in their own training complex.

‎Only 6,000 fans attended the match against Valencia on September 14 after a Post Malone concert left the Lluis Companys pitch in poor condition.

‎”The club is currently working on the new amendments that the council has shared today,” Barca said in a statement.

‎Barcelona confirmed on Friday that their Champions League group stage match against Paris Saint-Germain on October 1 will also be held at the Lluis Companys. The decision follows the club’s inability to secure approval to return to Camp Nou.

‎In LaLiga, Barca sit second, five points behind leaders Real Madrid but with a game in hand.