Barcelona Extends Stay at Olympic Stadium as Camp Nou Renovation Faces Further Delays
Barcelona announced Thursday that the club will complete its season at the Olympic Stadium, hosting all remaining LaLiga and Champions League matches there as construction delays continue to affect the renovation of Spotify Camp Nou.
The Catalan giants informed fans of the decision through an email sent to all club socios, confirming that their temporary home at Montjuïc will remain their base for the remainder of the campaign despite earlier plans to return to Camp Nou.
Club president Joan Laporta had previously expressed optimism about returning to their iconic stadium by March, specifically targeting the Champions League knockout phase. This timing was strategically important because UEFA regulations prevent teams from changing their home venue once they've played a knockout game in the competition.
However, the renovation project has encountered significant setbacks. Barcelona explained that more extensive work was required on the second tier of the stadium than initially planned, slowing progress on the modernization efforts. When completed, the renovated Camp Nou will boast a capacity of approximately 105,000, making it the largest stadium in Europe.
Barcelona has occupied the Olympic Stadium since departing Camp Nou in 2023. In January, the club had already requested an extension to their lease at Montjuïc until the end of May, specifically to accommodate the highly anticipated Clásico against Real Madrid scheduled for that month.
The announcement comes as Barcelona prepares for a demanding fixture schedule. Upon returning from the international break, the team faces four matches in nine days, beginning with a home game against Osasuna on Thursday, followed by a clash with Girona on Sunday. They will then travel to Atlético Madrid for the second leg of their Copa del Rey semifinal before hosting Real Betis in LaLiga.
The fixture congestion continues with Barcelona hosting Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League, traveling to Leganés for a league match, and then flying to Germany for the return leg of their Champions League quarterfinal against Dortmund.
