UEFA has officially approved Barcelona’s request to host Champions League matches at the partially rebuilt Camp Nou, ending more than two years of construction turmoil, delays, and last-minute embarrassments.
The green light arrives just days after Barça announced their long-awaited La Liga return to the iconic stadium, which has been stuck in renovation chaos far longer than the club ever planned.
The Catalans will christen the new era with a league clash against Athletic Bilbao on November 22, before welcoming Eintracht Frankfurt for their Camp Nou Champions League comeback on December 9.
“UEFA accepted the request, considering that all the necessary requirements have been met,” the club wrote in an official statement.
At one point, Barcelona were forced into an embarrassing detour: hosting two official matches at the 6,000-seat Johan Cruyff Stadium at their training complex after failing to secure the proper safety permits.
From there, they moved to the 55,000-capacity Olympic Stadium on Montjuic, their reluctant home for most of the renovation period.
The Camp Nou’s initial reopened capacity will be just 45,401 seats, less than half of its future 105,000 capacity once the top tier is finished, but still a massive upgrade from their temporary digs.
Earlier this month, Barca tested the waters by letting 23,000 fans in for a public training session.
Every month of delay has hurt the club where it can least afford it: financially. Barcelona, already battling well-documented money troubles, are pouring an eye-watering €1.5 billion ($1.74bn) into the stadium rebuild. Getting fans — and Champions League revenue — back inside Camp Nou is essential.
(with AFP inputs)
