Barcelona’s Camp Nou return thrown into chaos

The Camp Nou renovation work has been ongoing for more than two years now, and although the end was seemingly in sight, further delays mean that Barcelona may not return to their iconic home next month as planned.

According to reports in Spain, an inspection of the stadium has unearthed more than 200 defects, which must all be resolved before the club can start playing matches there again.

Barcelona Camp Nou return to be delayed again?

Since the beginning of the 2023/24 season, Barcelona have played their home matches at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, the former home of city rivals, Espanyol.

Originally, the plan was for this to just be a one-year move, but the Camp Nou renovation work has rumbled on much longer than first anticipated.

Most recently, the club had pencilled in a friendly with Italian side, Como, to take place at the revamped Camp Nou, but this was moved to the Johan Cruyff Arena at the last minute.

After that move, the club pinpointed the home match with Valencia in September as the official return date. This will also be Barcelona's first home match of the new season after requesting three away matches to start, to buy themselves more time to get the stadium ready for supporters.

Now, the club has just over a month to resolve these 200 reported defects and also obtain a Certificate of Completion of Works from La Liga and UEFA.

When will the Camp Nou renovation be finished?

Although the club hope to be back playing football matches at the Camp Nou in the near future, the full renovation project won't be complete until at least the end of the season.

As a result, when Barcelona do eventually move back home, they will be playing in front of a reduced capacity due to the ongoing work. Initially, the capacity will be capped at 27,000, but there is hope that this can be increased with time.

FGG says: Where now for the Catalans?

Barcelona could find themselves in a pickle if they can't play their home match against Valencia in September the Camp Nou. The club declined the opportunity to renew their lease at the Olympic Stadium, so they could be forced to play home matches at the Johan Cruyff Arena for the foreseeable.