Football
31 Jan 2025
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Barcelona Make Camp Nou Return Decision After Construction Delays

Barcelona are behind schedule / PAU BARRENA/GettyImages

Barcelona Behind Schedule in Renovation of Famous Camp Nou Stadium

Barcelona have officially requested an extension to their temporary stay at the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium due to significant delays in the renovation of Camp Nou. The club had initially planned to return to their historic home before the end of 2024, but ongoing construction setbacks have pushed this timeline further back, potentially until late March 2025.

The delays pose a logistical challenge for Barcelona, particularly in the Champions League, where UEFA regulations require clubs to play all home matches at the same venue during the knockout stages. Camp Nou’s unavailability for the early rounds in March created complications, but now that other scheduled events at the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium have fallen through, Barcelona are working to ensure they can use it as a fallback option until the season’s conclusion.

Barcelona Request Extended Stay at Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium

Barcelona have now formally approached Barcelona de Serveis Municipals (BSM) to extend their use of the Olympic Stadium until at least May 20, 2025. The club still hopes to host matches at the Spotify Camp Nou before the season ends, but given the ongoing construction issues, they want to ensure continuity in case of further delays.

“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,” the club announced in an official statement. “The Club has learned that BSM’s reservation of the facility from May for a musical event will most likely not be made effective.”

The statement continued: “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 emphasise 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.”

UEFA Rules and Champions League Home Venue Complications

UEFA rules mandate that a club must host all its home games at the same stadium during the Champions League knockout rounds. This presents Barcelona with a critical issue. While Camp Nou remains unavailable for the start of the round of 16 in early March, the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium had also been booked for other events during later stages of the competition.

However, those plans have since changed, and Barcelona now expect to remain at their temporary home until the season’s end, ensuring compliance with UEFA regulations. This will allow the club to maintain stability for their European campaign while still keeping open the possibility of returning to Camp Nou should construction progress faster than anticipated.

Impact on Key Fixtures and El Clasico Speculation

The extended stay at the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium could also impact the scheduling of key La Liga fixtures. One of the most talked-about scenarios has been Barcelona’s hosting of Real Madrid for the second El Clasico of the season. Reports had initially suggested that Barcelona might have to move the match to Wembley Stadium due to a clash with scheduled Rolling Stones concerts on May 10 and May 15 at the Olympic Stadium. The former date is particularly significant as it is just one day before the scheduled El Clasico.

However, with changes to the availability of the Olympic Stadium, it remains to be seen where this high-profile fixture will ultimately take place. If Camp Nou is not ready and the Olympic Stadium remains booked for other events, alternative venues could still be explored.

Conclusion: Barcelona’s Efforts to Return to Camp Nou

Barcelona’s renovation project at Camp Nou was initially seen as a transformative step toward modernizing the club’s historic stadium, but continued delays have forced them to rethink their timeline. The extension request for the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium reflects their proactive approach to securing a stable venue for the remainder of the season.

While the club’s ultimate goal remains returning to the Spotify Camp Nou before the season concludes, their backup plan ensures minimal disruption in their domestic and European campaigns. Fans eagerly await further updates, hoping that Barcelona will soon be able to return to their iconic home.

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