The real reason why Barcelona’s long-awaited Camp Nou return keeps getting delayed

The Camp Nou return date remains uncertain due to ongoing discussions with the Barcelona City Council about meeting certain safety requirements. This has frustrated fans, who are growing impatient with the delays and lack of accountability.

Recently, Barcelona issued an update on their website regarding the situation, raising questions about who is responsible for the postponements and the reasons behind them, as supporters grow weary of receiving the same information repeatedly.

Licensing and safety concerns remain contentious issues

Due to uncertainty surrounding the reopening of Camp Nou, Barcelona have been informed that they will not receive a license for reopening until safety issues are addressed.

The council has raised key concerns, including the safety and security of entrances and exits, as well as the results of fire department inspections. At least 200 issues were highlighted in the first inspection phase.

The delay in obtaining the Phase 1A license brings approval closer to Phase 1B, allowing more time for operational tests and a larger reopening of Camp Nou with at least 45,000 spectators.

FC Barcelona Statement pic.twitter.com/s0cfprbStJ— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) October 8, 2025

Club planning for bigger Camp Nou return

Barcelona have the opportunity to begin playing at Camp Nou as soon as the Phase 1A license is issued. However, this would only allow for 27,000 spectators, which is significantly fewer than the capacity at Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium.

Playing at Lluis Companys, which holds at least 55,000 spectators, enables them to generate higher revenue, helping to offset the losses they experienced at the smaller 6,000-capacity Johan Cruyff Stadium at the start of the 2025/26 campaign.

Based on this situation, the club has decided to host Girona at Montjuic Hill on 18 October 2025. It also means the club is eyeing a bigger Camp Nou return, with at least 45,000 capacity once both Phase 1A and Phase 1B licenses have been issued.

As reported earlier, the home game against Athletic Bilbao on 23 November is likely to take place at Camp Nou.

A looming test event

Barcelona have also recently revealed that they plan to put on an open training session at the Camp Nou before any official matches are played there.

This is to get the players used to the grand scale and surroundings of the Camp Nou once again before they have to play competitive football here, and also to give Barcelona supporters the chance to get comfortable inside their home before a matchday. 

The club also want to test out new systems and access points with fans inside the arena, and an open training session offers them exactly that. 

This open training session will take place on Friday, 7 November and 23,000 supporters will be able to buy tickets and attend. The sessions will begin at 11:00 CET but the doors to the Camp Nou will open at 09:30 CET. 

Barcelona's bleeding finances

While a return to Camp Nou remains shrouded in uncertainty, the club continues to bleed finances playing away from their iconic ground.

Apart from fewer ticket sales, playing at a venue with a capacity way below that of Camp Nou, the cost of staging matches on alternative grounds is hefty. According to sources, they are paying between €300,000 and €900,000 for every match they play at Montjuic. This averages around half a million euros.

The club is also paying  €1.5 billion for the Camp Nou rebuild, further causing financial strain on their already dire situation. A larger percentage of the Espai Barca project, which includes the Camp Nou rebuild, is financed by loans.

As reported by ESPN on 7 October, Barcelona recorded a post-tax loss amounting to €17 million for the 2024/25 season. In 2023/24, they reported post-tax losses of €91 million.

The recent financial report follows a rise in revenue to €994 million, up from €100 million the previous year, attributed mainly to an agreement with Nike.

FGG Says

Barcelona's delayed return to Camp Nou underscores the tension between ambition and accountability. While the club is eager to reopen its iconic home, city officials are right to prioritise safety over spectacle.

In the long run, a fully compliant and secure stadium will serve both the fans and the club's legacy far better than a rushed comeback.