Barcelona’s hopes of boosting the Spotify Camp Nou’s capacity for the game against Levante have hit a setback after a miscommunication with city authorities, delaying the next stage of the stadium’s phased reopening.
The delay means the Catalan giants may miss out on welcoming tens of thousands more fans later this month, extending frustrations around what remains a protracted renovation.
The issue centres on Phase 1C of the stadium’s reopening plan, which was expected to allow the Gol Nord stand and additional seating to open in time for the February 22 fixture.
Instead, confusion over how evacuation points should be operated and incomplete documentation submitted by Barcelona has prompted the Barcelona City Council to delay approval of the licence.
What went wrong with the Camp Nou permit?
According to Barca Universal, technical advisers had recommended that exit gates remain unlocked but controlled to prevent congestion during evacuations, yet the club misinterpreted this guidance as meaning the stands could be opened without sufficient staff and safety oversight.
The result has been stalling in talks with council technicians, the Fire Brigade, Civil Protection, Mossos d’Esquadra and Guardia Urbana, all of whom must sign off before capacity can be increased.
As matters stand, the Levante match is likely to be played with the Camp Nou capped at just over 44,000 spectators, significantly below the 62,000+ figure Barcelona had aimed for with the Phase 1C permit.
That reduction is reported to cost the club €1 million to €1.5 million in matchday revenue compared with the anticipated crowd.
The club is now targeting clearance for the Villarreal fixture on February 28, although ongoing meetings with municipal and safety authorities will be required to resolve technical misunderstandings before additional stands can be opened.
The setback follows a series of delays that have plagued the €1.5 billion Espai Barca project, which aims to expand Camp Nou’s capacity to more than 105,000 fans and modernise facilities.
The club had originally hoped to be back playing at full strength in the renovated stadium sooner, but bureaucratic, safety and technical issues have repeatedly slowed progress.
The phased reopening has seen limited crowds allowed back in stages, including a re-introduction of 45,000 supporters in late 2025 after securing initial occupancy permits, but the process has been slower than planned.
FGG Says
Barcelona’s renovation has always been about more than seats and tiers, as it is fundamental to the club’s financial stabilisation, but every bureaucratic slip costs millions and tests supporter patience.
Proper alignment between the club’s planners and the city ought to be a priority, not an afterthought, if Barcelona are serious about turning their legendary ground into a 21st-century sporting and cultural icon.