Barcelona’s long-awaited return to the Nou Camp has been pushed back once again after the city council rejected their request for a safety permit.
The La Liga champions had hoped to reopen the stadium with a reduced 27,000 capacity for Sunday’s clash with Real Sociedad. Instead, the fixture will be staged at the 55,000-seat Olympic Stadium on Montjuïc hill, where Barça have played for the past two seasons during the £1.1bn renovation works.
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Deputy Mayor Laia Bonet cited security concerns, including issues with evacuation routes, as the reason for denying the licence. “We share Barça’s desire for a swift return, but our priority is guaranteeing the safety of fans,” she said.
Barça officials expressed disappointment but pledged to resolve the outstanding issues. Operations director Joan Sentelles insisted the stadium is safe, despite works continuing until 2027, when the new roof is scheduled to be completed.
Work on the Nou Camp began in June 2023, with the initial target of returning in November 2024 to coincide with the club’s 125th anniversary. That deadline has long passed, and supporters must now wait even longer to see their team back at their iconic home.
The club confirmed both Sunday’s La Liga tie against Real Sociedad and October’s Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain will take place at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys.
