Barcelona is set to make a highly anticipated return to Spotify Camp Nou this weekend, as they confirmed that Saturday’s LaLiga match against Athletic Club will take place at their iconic stadium.
While renovation work is ongoing, Barça received a license from the local council on Monday, permitting them to host matches with a maximum capacity of 45,401 fans.
Camp Nou has been closed for refurbishments since 2023, during which time Barcelona has been using the Olympic Stadium for home games. The initial plan was for the team to return to Camp Nou by the end of 2024.
However, after a series of delays, the Spanish champions are finally allowed to welcome significant crowds back to their legendary venue.
Barcelona initially obtained a permit to reopen the stadium in October, but the capacity limit of 25,991 was deemed insufficient for financial viability.
They conducted a test event earlier in November, where nearly 23,000 fans attended an open training session, a gathering that club president Joan Laporta labeled as a success.
Following the submission of documentation last week to increase the capacity limit, the club received positive news on Monday.
Saturday’s match against Athletic Club marks the beginning of a hectic schedule for Barca, which will include a Champions League clash against Chelsea and consecutive home fixtures versus Alavés and Atlético Madrid, all of which can now take place at Camp Nou.
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It remains uncertain whether the Champions League match against Frankfurt on December 9 will be held at Camp Nou or the Olympic Stadium. UEFA regulations differ slightly from LaLiga’s regarding mid-season venue changes, but Laporta has conveyed confidence that the necessary requirements will be met, including accommodating facilities for the directors’ box.
Currently, the bottom two tiers of the stadium are finished, while construction continues on the third tier, and the roof is still to be installed. The renovation is projected to be completed by 2027, at which point the stadium’s capacity will expand to 105,000.