FC Barcelona opened their 2025/26 campaign in convincing fashion with a 3-0 victory over RCD Mallorca, a result that set the tone for their defence of the La Liga crown. On the pitch, Hansi Flick’s men looked assured. Off it, however, the club’s administration finds itself entangled in yet another episode of mismanagement and delay.
The drawn-out saga of the Spotify Camp Nou renovation has turned into an embarrassment. What was once heralded as a historic return has now descended into uncertainty, with Barcelona weighing up the extraordinary prospect of staging their home matches across three different stadiums in a single season.
With renovation works still ongoing at the Camp Nou and UEFA inspectors having recently reviewed progress on-site, a provisional roadmap is beginning to take shape.
According to Mundo Deportivo, Hansi Flick’s side could be forced to return to Montjuïc to play the Champions League group stage and more than half of their La Liga fixtures.
The plan would then see the Catalans reopen the redeveloped Camp Nou in February 2025, with around 60,000 seats available, potentially in time for the clash with Mallorca on matchday 23 and the European knockout rounds.
For fans, the uncertainty surrounding where Barça will play each match has not only created logistical headaches but also influenced the sporting landscape beyond the pitch. Even the entertainment industry tied to football has felt the ripple effect, with supporters speculating on fixtures and venues across various betting apps, as the shifting home advantage could play a decisive role in results and odds alike.
Yet, an immediate problem looms on the horizon: the league encounter against Valencia on September 14. Montjuïc will be unavailable due to a concert scheduled just two days prior, while the Johan Cruyff Stadium is ineligible under La Liga regulations because of its limited capacity. Meanwhile, the possibility of playing at Camp Nou with only 27,000 seats available is looking increasingly unlikely.
Two scenarios are now being considered. The first would involve Girona allowing Barça to use Montilivi, its 14,000-seat stadium. The second, far less appealing option, would see the match staged at an empty Camp Nou, behind closed doors, in scenes reminiscent of the pandemic years. Although La Liga would not oppose either solution, the latter would be a particularly bleak image for the club’s return home.
However, one can argue that the overall episode of Camp Nou’s renovations have not gone according to the expectations of the fans. These fans expected the stadium to be open for its 125th anniversary, then in March 2025, then for the Joan Gamper match. But none of these events took place at the Camp Nou.
Now, it is highly likely that Barcelona will miss another deadline as the match against Valencia is highly unlikely to take place at their beloved home stadium. There is a likelihood that the team will return to the Camp Nou after more than half of the season is already over, i.e., in February, starting with the league match against Mallorca on matchday 23.
One can also sense politics in this matter, as a return to Camp Nou closer to the elections, that are scheduled to take place in March next year, will ensure this successful project is still fresh in the voters’ minds.
What was meant to be a proud moment of rebirth for Barcelona has instead become a protracted saga of delay, improvisation, and politics. For now, the team delivers on the pitch. Off it, the club’s leadership continues to stumble.
