As FC Barcelona prepares to face Club Brugge tonight in the UEFA Champions League, club president Joan Laporta has shared exciting news regarding the team’s anticipated return to the Spotify Camp Nou.
After facing numerous challenges and delays, the club is hopeful that the Blaugrana will finally make their long-anticipated return to the revamped Camp Nou later this month.
In preparation for the stadium’s reopening, Barcelona has organized an open training session at their historic venue this Friday, with all tickets for the event having sold out.
Laporta Enthusiastic
During a visit to the City Hall of Bruges earlier today, president Laporta expressed his excitement over the overwhelming response to the training session ticket sales.
“The excitement surrounding Camp Nou is palpable. We are incredibly grateful to our members and fans for their enthusiasm. It’s fantastic news that all tickets have been purchased,” Laporta stated, as reported by SPORT.
“This test is essential. The training session will allow us to assess how everything will function in terms of organizing a football match,” he added.
Laporta also mentioned a tentative date for the team’s complete return to the stadium, stating:
“Everything has been checked and is ready, and we will now conduct a public test to confirm this. Unless any unforeseen issues arise, the return is planned for either November 22 or 29,” he explained.
Barcelona expects to receive the occupancy license for Phase 1B, which will increase the Camp Nou’s capacity to 45,000 spectators, between November 12 and 15.
There is considerable optimism within the club, as construction on the lateral stands has already been completed for weeks, with final adjustments being made to address minor issues identified during recent inspections.
If everything goes according to plan, Barça’s return to their home ground will coincide with the end of the international break. While the match against Athletic Club on November 22 may be a bit soon, the fixture against Alaves on November 29 appears to be the most likely candidate.
This date is particularly significant as it will coincide with the club’s 126th anniversary, making the return to Spotify Camp Nou even more special.