Barcelona’s long-awaited return to the Camp Nou has been postponed once again, with the city council refusing to grant approval until safety regulations are fully met. The ongoing renovation delays have forced Barça to continue using alternative stadiums for their early-season fixtures.
Why Barcelona Still Can’t Return to Camp Nou
The Camp Nou renovation project has been plagued by setbacks, with the latest issue revolving around safety certification. Barcelona are still waiting for the city council to grant the “license of first occupation,” which would allow the club to host around 27,000 fans in partially reopened sections of the stadium.
City council sports director David Escudé emphasized that the “key word is safety,” stressing that no exceptions can be made when it comes to construction regulations. He acknowledged the complexity of the project and admitted that while Barça’s eagerness to announce return dates is understandable, unforeseen obstacles keep pushing timelines back.
Temporary Home Matches at Alternative Venues
Because of the delay, Barcelona’s home debut came at the Estadi Johan Cruyff, where they defeated Valencia 6–0. The venue will also host their upcoming La Liga clash with Getafe on September 21.
If approvals are secured, the Camp Nou could reopen on September 28 for Barcelona’s highly anticipated match against Real Sociedad. This would also open the door for the stadium to host the club’s Champions League fixture against Paris Saint-Germain just three days later.
Safety First: City Council’s Firm Stance
Escudé underlined that regulations exist for one reason—public safety. He noted that setbacks are natural in a project of this magnitude and urged patience, despite mounting pressure from fans and the club itself.
“Nobody can breach a regulation that pursues safety, safety and safety,” Escudé stated.
Until then, Barcelona’s return to their historic home remains uncertain, with alternative venues like the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys remaining fallback options.
What’s Next for Barcelona?
While the club remains hopeful of returning to the Camp Nou by late September, further delays can’t be ruled out. For now, supporters will have to wait a little longer to see their team back at one of football’s most iconic stadiums.
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