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Rohit Rajeev

Are Barcelona giving up on Camp Nou return? La Liga champions prepare Champions League Plan B as uncertainty around move back to iconic stadium in time for PSG clash

Barcelona are lining up a backup plan for their home fixture against Paris Saint-Germain in case Camp Nou is not ready on time to host their first Champions League home game. The Blaugrana have suffered several delays in their efforts to return to the renovated stadium, and are currently targeting the clash against Real Sociedad on September 28, just days before the French giants come to town.

  • Plans to host Real Sociedad at home while moving the PSG game away

    According to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona are confident of securing the final construction certificate in time to host Real Sociedad at Camp Nou at the end of the month. However, the club will only be able to admit around 27,000 spectators, with large sections of the stadium still under renovation. For the clash against PSG, though, Camp Nou may remain unavailable, as a key section with a 45,000 capacity cannot yet be opened. Both PSG and UEFA have already been informed of the possible venue change to avoid any confusion.

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  • FBL-ESP-BARCELONA-STADIUMAFP

    Revamping the Camp Nou as part of Espai Barca

    As part of the project, club president Joan Laporta convinced the General Assembly that the revamped stadium was a crucial element of Barcelona’s financial future. In December 2022, the Assembly voted in favour of the renovation plans, which were also approved by the City Council. They initially planned to return to the iconic stadium last year but have faced several delays which have now run into the current campaign. La Liga granted their request to start the season with three straight away matches in order to give them more time to get Camp Nou in order but they yet to confirm when the stadium will be ready to host a match.

  • Camp Nou delays and postponement

    Recently, the Joan Gamper Trophy, Barcelona’s annual pre-season fixture which had been scheduled to take place at Camp Nou, was moved to the Johan Cruyff Stadium after the club failed to obtain the necessary licence from the council. Missing the deadline once again, Barcelona were forced to host their home game against Valencia at the Johan Cruyff Stadium for a second time. The situation looked even bleaker when vice-president Elena Fort admitted uncertainty over when the team could finally return to Camp Nou. It is reported that the club have lost close to €90 million (£78m/$106m) in revenue by being unable to play at their iconic home ground.

  • Lamine Yamal Spaingetty

    What's in store for Barcelona?

    Barcelona will hope that there will be no more delays in revamping the stadium and they will be able to host big games and Champions League nights at the stadium. Otherwise, they will have to play all of their League phase matches at the stadium in Montjuic. 

    This weekend's game against Getafe will take place at the same 6,000-capacity stadium that hosted the Valencia match.