Barcelona has announced a new timeline for their anticipated return to the revamped Spotify Camp Nou, as reported by the Spanish news source Mundo Deportivo.
Joan Sentelles, the club’s director of operations, confirmed that they expect to receive the First Occupancy License for Camp Nou later this week.
Additionally, Sentelles discussed the intricate decision-making process that led to selecting Limak Construction for overseeing the stadium renovation.
The choice of Limak raised some eyebrows, given that the company received a lower technical score compared to Spanish rivals, Fomento de Construcciones y Contratas (FCC) and Ferrovial, whose construction proposals were seen as more convincing.
Limak’s initial funding needs were also significantly higher, requiring approximately €200 million for the early construction phases, while its competitors requested around €12 million.
Nonetheless, Sentelles promptly dismissed the doubts surrounding Limak, clarifying that the technical reports were “advisory and non-binding.”
He stated that Barcelona ultimately opted for Limak following a thorough evaluation process that included both internal and external compliance checks.
“While the technical reports provided opinions, there wasn’t just one to consider,” said Sentelles. “The management and project supervising teams also presented their analyses, and decisions were made hierarchically.”
“All the relevant information was shared with stakeholders, leading to the decision that Limak’s proposal met the investors’ requirements,” he added.
Sentelles also emphasized that a previous report disqualified Limak on the basis of language barriers and a lack of familiarity with Spanish laws, which he deemed an invalid criterion.
Despite being nearly a year behind the original schedule for the return to Camp Nou—initially set for November 2024—Sentelles asserted that “Limak was the most cost-effective” choice for the club.
He indicated that the stadium could potentially reopen by mid-November, with the club already initiating season ticket sales.
“If all goes according to plan, we can reopen the stadium by mid-November, contingent on the city council’s cooperation as well,” Sentelles concluded.