Barcelona are finally set to return to Spotify Camp Nou this weekend, as Saturday’s LaLiga match against Athletic Club has officially been approved to take place at the iconic stadium. After months of waiting, the club received a crucial license from the local council on Monday, allowing events with a restricted capacity of 45,401 spectators.
The stadium has been under heavy renovation since 2023, forcing Barça to relocate all home games to the Olympic Stadium. The original goal was to reopen Camp Nou by the end of 2024, but delays repeatedly pushed the date back. Despite those setbacks, the champions can now welcome fans back home, marking a highly anticipated moment for supporters.
Barcelona had previously been given permission to reopen Camp Nou in October. They are, the maximum capacity was limited to 25,991—far below what the club considered financially viable. This led to the decision to wait until a larger crowd size was approved.
Successful Test Event Paves the Way
Earlier in November, the club organized a successful test event at the partially completed stadium. Nearly 23,000 fans attended an open training session, which President Joan Laporta later described as a positive and encouraging step toward reopening. The event proved the venue could safely accommodate supporters even while construction continued.
Following this, Barça submitted the required paperwork to expand the allowable capacity. After reviewing the application, the council granted approval on Monday—finally giving the green light for matches to return to the historic venue.
Saturday’s match against Athletic Club will therefore mark the beginning of a packed schedule. The return to Camp Nou comes at a perfect time, as Barcelona prepares for important fixtures that will shape their season.
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A Busy Fixture List Ahead at the Reopened Stadium
After facing Athletic Club, Barcelona will travel to London for a Champions League clash against Chelsea. Upon returning to Spain, they will host Alavés and Atletico Madrid back-to-back—both games now confirmed to be played at Camp Nou thanks to the increased capacity permit.
However, there remains uncertainty surrounding the Champions League game against Frankfurt on Dec. 9. UEFA regulations differ from LaLiga’s when it comes to mid-season venue changes. They are, meaning the club must meet additional standards before the match can be approved at Camp Nou.
Laporta has expressed optimism, explaining that plans are in place to satisfy UEFA requirements. So including the need for fully covered areas for directors and officials. The club hopes to avoid returning to the Olympic Stadium for such an important fixture.
Renovation Progress and Future Expectations
As of now, construction at Camp Nou remains ongoing. The bottom two tiers are complete, allowing the team to host fans safely. Besides that, while the third tier is still under development. Additionally, the new roof structure has yet to be installed, meaning work will continue throughout the season.
The reopening marks a major milestone but not the end of Barcelona’s ambitious renovation project. Once fully completed, Camp Nou is expected to become one of the most advanced stadiums in world football, both technologically and in terms of fan experience.
Supporters have waited more than a year to return, and Saturday’s match will symbolize not only a homecoming but also the beginning of a new era for Barcelona’s historic ground. Follow the latest football news only at footballcoasters.co.uk.