Barcelona 'can't guarantee' new Camp Nou return target with Champions League deadline looming

Barca’s long-awaited return to the renovated Camp Nou has been delayed again, with the club confirming that Sunday’s La Liga clash against Valencia will instead be played at the Estadi Johan Cruyff. The Catalan giants had hoped the season’s first home game would mark a symbolic reopening of their modernised ground, but the necessary permits and safety authorisations have not yet been processed in time.

Vice-president of institutional affairs, Elena Fort, admitted that while construction work on the first phase is complete, the bureaucratic side has held up the process. Barca, who spent the past two years at the Olympic Stadium in Montjuic, are now facing another race against time to be ready for their September 21 home fixture against Getafe.

Fort told Catalunya Radio and RAC1: "We have been working until the last minute to get all the paperwork done, but it hasn't been possible. As soon as we realised we wouldn't make it by the 14th, we communicated it."

She also stressed that safety regulations must come first, with tickets prioritised for long-serving members who endured two years at Montjuic, adding: "There are regulations that must be followed and safety is a priority. All capacity, except for rivals and institutional teams, is reserved for members, prioritising those who have made the effort to be at Montjuic these past two years.

"I can't guarantee that we'll be at the Camp Nou against Getafe. We hope to have the authorisation. We'll try to get there as soon as possible. We're working to start at Camp Nou on October 1st."

This latest delay highlights the mounting frustration for both fans and players, who were eagerly anticipating a return to the Camp Nou after years away. The Estadi Johan Cruyff, with its much smaller capacity, will now host Valencia, a stark contrast to the 100,000-plus crowds Barca’s modernised stadium is designed to accommodate.

Beyond matchday logistics, this situation also raises concerns over the Champions League. Barcelona had initially hoped to host European nights at Camp Nou, but uncertainty persists. With Montjuic unavailable until February due to other commitments, the club must balance fan expectations, UEFA requirements, and tight timelines if they are to stage continental fixtures back at their famous home this autumn.

Barcelona remain in limbo as they await final authorisations to reopen the Camp Nou, with their immediate focus shifting to whether the stadium will be cleared for the September 21 clash against Getafe. Fort’s comments suggest October 1 has emerged as the new “unofficial” target date, but nothing is guaranteed.