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

Barcelona’s long-awaited return to the Camp Nou has gone through months of uncertainty, licensing hurdles and shifting dates, leaving supporters frustrated by repeated delays and the constant lack of clarity. Now, after more than two years away, the club finally has permission to reopen part of the stadium, even as renovation work continues.

Despite the good news, the underlying issues that caused the postponements remain central to understanding why the comeback took so long.

Licensing and safety concerns remain contentious issues

Barcelona had originally hoped to return earlier, but the Barcelona City Council refused to issue a full reopening license until several safety requirements were met.
Inspections flagged more than 200 issues related to fire safety, entrances, emergency exits and structural access points.

The club first received a Phase 1A license in October, but it capped attendance at 25,991 spectators, a figure Barcelona considered financially unviable compared to the 55,000 capacity at Montjuic.

Instead of returning immediately, the club waited for the expanded Phase 1B approval, which finally arrived and allows 45,401 fans into the stadium.

This larger capacity aligns with Barcelona’s operational demands and gives them time to complete additional technical tests inside the renovated structure.

Club planning for bigger Camp Nou return

Because Phase 1A offered just 27,000 seats, Barcelona opted to keep playing at the Olympic Stadium, where revenues were higher and logistics easier.

This also prevented the club from repeating the revenue losses suffered earlier this season, when they were forced to stage matches at the 6,000-seat Johan Cruyff Stadium before initial permits were secured.

The club confirmed that the 18 October match vs Girona would stay at Montjuic, while targeting the 22 November match against Athletic Club as their Camp Nou homecoming – a date now officially approved.

A necessary test event before the reopening

Before welcoming supporters for a competitive match, Barcelona staged an open training session at Camp Nou on 7 November, with just under 23,000 fans in attendance.

The event served several purposes, such as reacclimating players to the new stadium layout, familiarising fans with updated access routes and testing safety systems and operational flows under real conditions

President Joan Laporta described the event as a “success”, which helped strengthen the club’s request for increased capacity.

The return is finally confirmed – but the stadium is far from finished

After filing updated documentation, Barcelona received formal approval on Monday 17, November to host matches with 45,401 spectators, officially unlocking the return to their historic home.

They made their long-awaited return on Saturday, 22 November, for a La Liga clash against Athletic Club – their first match at the stadium since May 2023. It ultimately proved to be a triumphant day for the hosts, as Ferran Torres scored a brace in a commanding 4-0 victory. 

Work, however, continues across multiple areas of the stadium with full completion expected by 2027 and a final capacity of 105,000.

Progress will now transition into Phase 1C, expected before the end of the year, which merges all prior phases and increases capacity to 62,518, including 171 accessibility spaces and additional VIP lounges.

Barcelona will also bring the Champions League back home

UEFA has also approved the Camp Nou to host the December 9 Champions League match against Eintracht Frankfurt, marking the stadium’s first European night since the rebuild began.

The clash with the German side will be the first Champions League fixture at the iconic venue since Barcelona suffered a heavy 3-0 defeat to Bayern Munich in October 2022. 

Barcelona last played a Champions League fixture at the venue in 2022 – a 3–0 defeat to Bayern Munich, and returning to their iconic home is expected to provide a much-needed financial boost.

Barcelona's bleeding finances

Barcelona’s finances remain under severe strain even as the stadium reopens partially – the financial burden is still immense.

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.

The return home will boost revenue, but construction costs and debt obligations remain significant hurdles.

FGG Says

Barcelona’s long-delayed return to Camp Nou highlights the constant tug-of-war between ambition, safety, and financial reality.

The club’s eagerness to reopen is understandable, but the city’s insistence on meeting strict safety obligations was necessary. In the end, a partial, secure return, even with ongoing construction, allows Barcelona to start this new era at their iconic home.

This is a suitable solution for the time being, although Barcelona fans will hope swift progress is made so the club can start opening up more parts of the ground.

However, supporters will need to exercise some patience, as the stadium is not expected to reach full capacity until 2027.

The most important thing is that while there is still some way to go until full compeltion, Barcelona are already writing their next chapter of the Camp Nou story.