- Barcelona have already been forced to postpone their return to Camp Nou
- Now the Spanish club’s leaders accept that more delays are inevitable
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Barcelona will need a ‘miracle’ to complete their £1.25 billion Nou Camp project on time, with chiefs fearing the 105,000-capacity stadium won’t be ready until the start of next season according to reports in Spain.
The LaLiga giants, who had initially hoped to unveil the newly renovated stadium as part of the club’s 125th anniversary on November 29, have already been forced to postpone their return until March.
In an update to supporters last month, the Catalans confirmed they will continue to play matches at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys until the new year and beyond.
The club claimed that a UEFA rule had been a key factor, with European football’s governing body preventing teams from moving stadiums during the early stages of the Champions League.
Barcelona, who are second in the Champions League group stages behind Arne Slot’s in-form Liverpool, had hoped to return in time for the competition’s knockout stages in March.
But now, according to the Spanish outlet MarcaBarcelona’s board accept it will take a ‘miracle’ to return in time for the new March deadline, with the Spotify Nou Camp still a building site.
Barcelona will need a ‘miracle’ to complete their £1.25 billion Spotify Nou Camp project on time
The LaLiga giants had initially hoped to unveil the newly renovated stadium on November 29
The arena was gutted and gutted to rebuild the third level and increase capacity
Now Barca’s leaders (photo: Joan Laporta) accept that more delays are inevitable
According to the report, Barcelona expect to stay away from the club’s stadium for the rest of the season – and may not return in time for the start of next season.
It is claimed that emergency exit plans and the laying of turf in particular are well behind schedule.
Should they qualify, which seems likely at this stage, the LaLiga leaders will want to start their 2025-2026 Champions League season at the Spotify Nou Camp so as not to breach UEFA’s stadium rule.
The Catalan club left the Nou Camp for the first time in May 2023 so they could begin major renovations to their 67-year-old stadium.
The iconic arena was taken apart to the bare bones, leaving only a concrete skeleton. The entire top tier was removed to rebuild the third and increase the capacity by 6,000 seats.
When the Spotify Nou Camp is completed, it will be the largest sports venue in Europe.