Barcelona’s home for the rest of this season has been confirmed, and it isn’t Camp Nou, with the club announcing the move on Thursday as the renovation of the stadium continues to face delays in its work.
Renovation work on the historic stadium started in summer 2023, with that initial goal of reopening ahead of the end of 2024. Nevertheless, constant problems with construction, lack of emergency exits, and pitch installation, have drastically hindered the progress.
In October 2024, the club specified a proposal for a return for the midway part of the existing season, originally aiming for February. But as the work slipped behind schedule, Barcelona had to prolong their spell at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, their temporary home in Montjuïc.
Concerns had been raised over Lluís Companys’ availability for the rest of the season, as the initial lease did not cover the entirety of Barcelona’s home fixtures. But according to The Athletic, Barcelona have now finalised a deal to allow them to remain at the stadium for the duration of the campaign.
Camp Nou’s renovation project is expected to be finished by June 2026, but Barcelona are hopeful to come back to the stadium at the beginning of the 2024-25 campaign with a smaller capacity while ongoing construction. The upgraded venue will eventually be able to hold about 105,000 fans, as opposed to Lluís Companys’ current maximum of 55,926.
Barca still contesting for La Liga title though — even from their non-sacred grounds. Hansi Flick’s side currently sit top of the table on goal difference ahead of Real Madrid with a game in hand. The most pivotal point in the title tussle may come when Barça’s arch rivals, Real Madrid, with whom they contest el Clásico, visit their home between May 10-11, with a decisive contest in sight as the Catalans seek to win a 28th league title.
