Barcelona Delays Camp Nou Return Until February 2024

Barcelona announced on Wednesday that they will delay their return to the Camp Nou until at least mid-February 2024 due to ongoing modernization and expansion work. The club had originally planned to return to their iconic home for La Liga matches in late January but they can no longer do so. As a result, they will play their home games against Valencia on January 26 and Alaves on February 2 at the Montjuic Olympic Stadium.

Barcelona explained that UEFA regulations prevent clubs from switching stadiums during the Champions League group stage which is why they cannot use two venues simultaneously. They also cited logistical challenges and additional costs involved in keeping two venues open as factors for their decision to continue playing at Montjuic. The club hopes to return to Camp Nou for their next home league fixture against Rayo Vallecano on February 16.

The club began the Camp Nou’s renovation project in June 2023 as part of their “Espai Barca” plan. While they expect the initial phase to be completed by summer 2026 allowing for a stadium capacity of 105,000, they plan to increase the stadium’s capacity to 62,000 by the end of 2024. However, the project has faced delays due to permit issues and concerns over working conditions.

Given these setbacks, Barcelona has requested an extension for their use of the Montjuic Olympic Stadium until March 31, 2025 as a precaution. This extended stay at Montjuic will ensure that the team has a home for the next several seasons while the Camp Nou undergoes a significant transformation.