Barcelona fans were ready for a fairytale return to their beloved Camp Nou. The lights, the chants, and the sea of blaugrana colors — everything was in place for a grand homecoming.
But once again, the wait goes on.
Despite receiving official permission to reopen part of the renovated stadium, the club has decided to stay at the Olympic Stadium in Montjuïc a little longer.
The reason? Money talks — and, for now, Montjuïc makes more sense than moving back home too soon.
The Barcelona City Council recently gave the green light for Phase 1A of the Camp Nou renovation, allowing 27,000 fans to attend matches.
It sounded like a dream start. But apparently, the club believes returning under that limited capacity would hurt its finances. Montjuïc, though temporary, still brings in higher matchday revenue.
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When can Barcelona return to Camp Nou?
Club vice president Elena Fort, who oversees the Espai Barca project, explained the situation clearly. “We hope that phase 1B, which would accommodate 47,000 spectators, will be approved soon, because the works are finished and it’s a matter of permits and project validation, and it’s simpler than the approved phase,” she said.
Fort also hinted that the return could coincide with a special date. “Any date would be good, because what we want is to return, but the end of November, whether it's against Athletic or Getafe, which would coincide with the club's 126th anniversary, would be a great match.”
For now, the plan is to keep things steady at Montjuïc until the next phase of approval arrives. Once Phase 1B is cleared, Camp Nou’s capacity will nearly double — a far better stage for the kind of atmosphere Barcelona fans deserve.
Still, the renovation story hasn’t been smooth. The €960 million project, led by Turkish firm Limak, has drawn criticism over its bidding process and timelines. Yet, club officials insist everything is on track.
Meanwhile, Hansi Flick’s squad has its hands full. Injuries to Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, Lamine Yamal, and others have made life tough for the German coach.
With fixtures against Girona and Olympiacos coming up — and El Clásico looming large — Barcelona’s focus remains split between the pitch and the permits.
For now, Camp Nou’s gates stay closed. But fans can take heart — the countdown to coming home has already begun.
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