FC Barcelona has received the license to reopen Spotify Camp Nou with a capacity of 45,401 spectators. The team will play its first official match there this Saturday against Athletic Club, after 909 days away from its stadium. The reopening marks the end of a stint at the Estadi Olímpic de Montjuïc.
FC Barcelona announced on Monday that it has obtained the first occupancy license for phase 1B to reopen Spotify Camp Nou. The stadium will host 45,401 fans in the Lateral, Tribuna, and Gol Sur areas during the match against Athletic Club on Saturday, November 22, at 4:15 p.m., the first after the international break. “We’re coming home,” the club declared on its social media.
The return comes 909 days after the last official match at Camp Nou, on May 28, 2023, when Xavi Hernández’s team beat Mallorca 3-0 with goals from Ansu Fati and Gavi, in a farewell for Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba. Now, under Hansi Flick, the team has changed: Ter Stegen faces competition, Ansu Fati is on loan at Monaco, and Dembélé stars at PSG.
For some players like Joan García, Szczęsny, and Rashford, it will be a debut at the Blaugrana stronghold as home players, while youngsters like Pau Cubarsí, Gerard Martín, Fermín López, Marc Casadó, and Dani Olmo have never played an official match there. Lamine Yamal made a brief debut at age 15.
The reopening is a year later than planned and with works less advanced. The club had held an open-door training on November 7 with over 23,000 people as a test. Previously, the stadium could hold 27,000 spectators. Works will continue with phase 1C to reach 60,000 seats and eventually 105,000 with the third tier and roof.
Barcelona thus bids farewell to Montjuïc, its temporary home for two years at an average rent of 500,000 euros per match. Pending UEFA approval, the club seeks to play the Champions League league phase at Camp Nou, including the clash against Eintracht Frankfurt. “We have initiated procedures to try to play part of the league phase. There is good dialogue with UEFA,” said Joan Laporta. The club added: “We are working jointly with UEFA to play the match against Eintracht Frankfurt at Spotify Camp Nou, as the necessary requirements are met, although we are still awaiting final confirmation.”