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Fans of FC Barcelona have been forced to wait an extra three weeks to be able to shout their support at the Camp Nou. The club has suspended its return, just three week after announcing a revised homecoming date.
Last month, the Catalan giants said they would head back to their famous ground – currently sponsored by music streaming platform Spotify – on August 10, 2025, for the Joan Gamper Trophy, a one-off annual exhibition match played every pre-season.
At the time, the club said the game would be a ‘milestone’ as the club ‘takes a symbolic and emotional step into the future’, but warned that ‘this return will happen while construction work continues in various areas of the stadium’.
Fans will now be disappointed as the club has announced that they are unable to get the required licences from local councils and therefore, have to postpone their homecoming.
A statement posted on the club’s website stated: “FC Barcelona has announced the suspension of its first match at the revamped Spotify Camp Nou scheduled for 10 August, to coincide the Joan Gamper Trophy.
The decision was taken because of the need to comply with requirements set out in the Ordinance regulating municipal intervention procedures for construction works. It has been impossible to complete the required procedure to grant the initial licence.
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“Specifically, because of the scope of work, it was impossible to meet all conditions set out in the regulations governing the licence, despite club intentions to reopen a redeveloped stadium section by segment.
The club will keep its fans and members informed of any changes regarding the return date. It is working closely with the Barcelona City Council to meet the various requirements.
After the 2022-23 football season, work on the ground started. Barcelona temporarily relocated matches to the Lluis Companies Olympic Stadium in Montjuic.
The Camp Nou, once completed, will have a seating capacity of 105,000. This makes it the largest stadium both in Europe and in Spain, as well as the third largest stadium in the entire world.
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According to local reports, the club now view September 14 as the most ‘viable’ return date, coinciding with a home game against Valencia in La Liga.
Barcelona can now play three of its first four games away from their stadium, as the Spanish Football Federation has allowed them to do so.
The delay may affect preparations for the UEFA Champions League. The first group match is scheduled for 16 September, and UEFA regulations stipulate that the venue needs to be confirmed in advance.
The Joan Gamper Trophy for 2025 will now take place at the Estadi Johann Cruyff. It is a small, intimate ground that can hold 6,000 fans and is situated near the training grounds of the club.
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