FC Barcelona’s much-anticipated return to the Spotify Camp Nou will have to wait a little longer. The club confirmed that the upcoming La Liga clash against Girona on October 18 will be held at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys in Montjuïc, rather than at their redeveloped home.
The decision comes as Barcelona continue to await the First Occupancy Licence from the City Council, which is required to reopen the Camp Nou. Although initial expectations pointed to an October homecoming, the paperwork has
not yet been approved, and the stadium remains in an active phase of renovation.
There is also, crucially, a financial angle. If the team were to return now, Camp Nou would only be able to host around 27,000 fans during the first construction phase. By contrast, Montjuïc offers a capacity of about 50,000 spectators, a crucial difference for a club still focused on maximizing matchday revenue.
The Estadi Olímpic has already hosted several key games this season, including fixtures against Real Sociedad and Paris Saint-Germain, while the team’s first two home matches took place at the smaller Estadi Johan Cruyff. Barcelona have also confirmed that their Champions League match against Olympiacos on October 21 will remain at Montjuïc.
Within the board, some voices are calling for further patience before returning to Camp Nou, suggesting that the club wait until November, when renovations to the lateral stands are expected to allow around 45,000 fans inside. That would enable similar revenue levels to Montjuïc while ensuring a smoother transition back to their permanent home.
