Barcelona back on schedule to make Camp Nou return ahead of first La Liga home game against Valencia at minimum capacity

Last month, the Barcelona City Council had refrained from issuing the First Occupancy license to the club so that it could accommodate 30,000 fans at Camp Nou for the Joan Gamper Trophy this week. However, now, commendable progress has taken place, according to Sport, and the Catalans may return to the stadium in the second week of September, when they take on Valencia in La Liga. The report also suggests that the game could take place in from of 30,000 or at most 45,000 fans.

Camp Nou's reconstruction began two years ago, forcing Barca to arrange for their home games to be played at the Estadi Olímpic de Montjuic. However, after receiving the Activities and Construction license in early July, the club were hopeful of getting the green light for the August 10 Joan Gamper Trophy against Como, but the necessary licence was not issued and the match was moved to the Estadi Johan Cruyff, which can accommodate only 6,000 fans. Now, with rapid work progress, it is the Valencia game that will see Barca fans return to the iconic stadium, assuming the south stand is completed on time and the First Occupancy license is granted in early September. 

A stand on the sides of the pitch, which will increase the capacity to 45,000, and the Gol Nord stand are expected to be rejuvenated by late August and late September, respectively, which will help Barca get their First Occupancy license for 60,000 people in October. While the aforementioned license takes months to be issued, the City Council considers Barca's case to be a unique one.

Barca are expecting a visit from La Liga and UEFA representatives soon, but their return to Camp Nou solely depends on the City Council.