Barcelona Confirm ‘Symbolic and Emotional’ Return to Camp Nou Scheduled for August

On Wednesday, Barcelona revealed they will be making their eagerly awaited return to the new Camp Nou with a friendly on August 10, following years of renovations aimed at expanding and modernising the iconic stadium.

The traditional pre-season Joan Gamper Trophy match marks only a partial reopening of the venue, with construction still underway in several areas, as stated by the current Spanish champions.

This ongoing work includes the finalisation of the new third tier, a dual VIP ring, the installation of the roof, enhancements to interior spaces, and the development of the stadium’s surrounding precinct.

While the club has yet to disclose the exact capacity for this initial phase, local reports suggest that approximately 35,000 fans will be accommodated in the available stands.

“Barcelona is taking a significant and emotional step into the future, reclaiming its home as we embark on a new era that will culminate in the complete inauguration of the revamped stadium,” the club stated.

As part of their plans, Barça has requested to play their first three La Liga matches of the upcoming season away from home, allowing an additional month to finish work on the stadium.

Despite facing numerous setbacks since its inception in 2023, the ambitious project called “Espai Barça” is expected to be completed by the summer of 2026, which will increase the Camp Nou’s capacity to a staggering 105,000.

In the interim, Barcelona have been hosting their home matches at the smaller Montjuïc Olympic Stadium.