FC Barcelona‘s big return to the Spotify Camp Nou after more than a year of renovation work will have to wait a few more months. Work has already progressed to the point where footballers and spectators can return to the Barça Stadium, but doing so now would breach UEFA rules.
FC Barcelona started the renovation of the stadium in mid-2023 and all work is expected to be completed in 2026, but football matches can still be played before this date, as was the case with the renovation work at Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu. Meanwhile, Barça plays at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys.
A return to Camp Nou was previously expected, but due to UEFA regulations this will not happen until February 2025. This is because UEFA does not allow stadium changes in the early stages of the Champions League.
Due to the “logistical difficulties and costs of maintaining two large stadiums at the same time”, the games until the 21st and 22nd matchdays of LaLiga and the eighth and final game of the opening phase of the Champions League against Atalanta (January 29th) will continue to take place held in the smaller stadium.
Once completed, Camp Nou’s capacity will increase from 99,354 to 105,000 seats, making it the second largest football stadium in the world.
Fabrizio Andrea Bertani / Shutterstock
How has UEFA’s decision regarding stadium changes impacted FC Barcelona’s renovation timeline and match logistics?
Guests:
1. Juande Ramos, a football coach and analyst
2. Marc Masferrer, a sports journalist specializing in football
Section 1: The Renovation of FC Barcelona’s Spotify Camp Nou Stadium and Its Timeline
Interviewer: Hello and welcome to World Today News. Today, we have Juande Ramos, a football coach and analyst, and Marc Masferrer, a sports journalist specializing in football, with us to discuss the renovation of FC Barcelona’s Spotify Camp Nou Stadium and its delayed return. Juande, can you start by telling us about the progress of the renovation work at the Camp Nou Stadium?
Juande Ramos: Well, from what I understand, the renovation work at Camp Nou has been going quite well. It’s impressive to see how the team has managed to make such significant progress in such a short period. The stadium is expected to be completed by 2026, which is quite ambitious, but I believe they are capable of meeting that deadline.
Marc Masferrer: I agree with Juande. The stadium renovation project has been carried out diligently, and the club has managed to maintain a good pace despite the challenges posed by the pandemic. However, one thing that is causing a delay is UEFA’s decision to not allow stadium changes during the early stages of the Champions League. This has forced Barcelona to continue playing matches at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys until February 2025.
Section 2: Costs and Logistics of Maintaining Two Stadiums
Interviewer: That’s interesting. Marc, could you expound on the “logistical difficulties and costs of maintaining two large stadiums at the same time”?
Marc Masferrer: Absolutely. It’s quite costly to maintain both the Camp Nou and the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys. The club has to bear the expenses related to the upkeep of two stadiums, which includes staff salaries, utility bills, and other maintenance costs. Additionally, there are administrative issues like scheduling matches and ensuring that both stadiums comply with all safety regulations. In my opinion, it would have been much more cost-effective to complete the renovation project
