Uncertainty Looms Over Barcelona’s Planned Return To Spotify Camp Nou

Barcelona is internally considering the possibility that their return to Spotify Camp Nou may be postponed until next season, despite President Joan Laporta’s insistence that they aim to play there starting in March.

Barça originally planned to be back at their Camp Nou home by November to mark the club’s 125th anniversary, but that date has passed.

Laporta has said that the club aims to return to the stadium by March, coinciding with the knockout phase of the Champions League; however, a source has indicated that even this timeline seems unlikely.

Progress in redeveloping and modernizing the ground has been slowed due to the fact more work was required on the second tier than initially planned.

In the meantime, the pitch will need up to three months to be properly installed to ensure it meets the standards required for hosting elite football.

The playing surface is still covered in machinery, though, as the revamp of the stadium continues, meaning the installation of the pitch has still not begun.

Laporta is aiming for a March date because, after Barcelona plays a home knockout game in the Champions League, they will no longer be able to change the venue for their home matches in Europe.

The only window to switch stadiums is between the league phase and the knockout stages, per UEFA’s regulations, although there are no such restrictions domestically in La Liga.

Barça are planning on a staged return to Camp Nou. They will initially return with the attendance capped at around 60,000 as work continues.

The stadium should then be finished by the summer of 2026, with the capacity increased to around 105,000, the highest in Europe.

Barcelona left Camp Nou in 2023 and has been playing at the city’s Olympic Stadium since then. They recently extended their lease on the stadium until March and would have the option to extend their stay again if needed.