Barcelona Set to Return to Camp Nou

After more than two years using the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium as a temporary refuge, Barcelona's return home is imminent. The club, led by Joan Laporta, announced on Wednesday that the Blaugrana will return to Camp Nou on August 10.

The Joan Gamper Trophy will mark the partial reopening of the Spotify Camp Nou as part of the Espai Barça transformation project. This will end a long wait during which Barça fans had to travel to Montjuïc to watch the team, managed by German coach Hansi Flick since last summer, while Turkish construction company Limak worked on the stadium's renovation.

After more than two years of extensive renovation, Camp Nou will reopen its doors in the heart of Les Corts to welcome Barça supporters once again. The team aims to defend the La Liga, Copa del Rey, and Spanish Super Cup titles they won last season, and to launch a new assault on the Champions League, where their journey was halted by Inter Milan in the semi-finals, preventing them from completing a near-perfect season.

The return to Camp Nou will be partial, as construction continues on the new venue. Fans will need to coexist with ongoing work in various areas of the stadium, according to Barça. Pending completion are the new third tier, the double VIP ring, the installation of the roof, as well as the final adjustments of some interior spaces and the exterior urbanization around the stadium.

Therefore, Barça emphasizes that it will work to ensure maximum comfort for members and fans visiting the Spotify Camp Nou, facilitating access and adapting services to offer the best possible experience while the project is completed.

The Camp Nou renovation project was initiated in 2007 during Joan Laporta's previous tenure as Barça president but was halted after a change in management and resumed more than a decade later. Construction began in June 2023, prompting Barça's temporary move to Montjuïc.

According to figures presented by Barça to its members, the renovation will cost 1.45 billion euros, covering not only the stadium but also all Blaugrana facilities in the Les Corts area (Mini Estadi) and the Palau Blaugrana. To finance the project, the club secured agreements with various investors, including Key Capital Partners and JP Morgan.

The initial goal of Laporta's board was to have the new Camp Nou fully completed by November 2024, allowing Barça to celebrate the club's 125th anniversary at home. However, project challenges have delayed the timeline, and there is no official completion date yet. Nevertheless, progress is sufficient to allow a partial reopening on August 10, enabling Barça fans to reunite with the stadium they hold dear.