FC Barcelona will apparently not play its first league home game at Camp Nou. Although it is registered as the home stadium for the Champions League, the opening game could also take place elsewhere.
It has been almost exactly nine months since FC Barcelona wanted to return to Camp Nou. The original plan was for this to happen on November 29, 2024, the club’s 125th anniversary. In hindsight, this date turned out to be utopian and just one of many.
At the start of the season, it was finally announced that Barcelona would play its home game against Valencia on matchday 4 at Camp Nou. Hansi Flick’s team will play its first three league games away from home, with the last one against Rayo Vallecano on Sunday.
But it looks like it won’t happen against Valencia either: according to consistent media reports from Spain, the Johan Cruyff Stadium is currently planned as the venue for the match on September 14, provided it meets all La Liga requirements. Barcelona is currently working on this after representatives of the association visited the stadium on Wednesday to see what improvements are needed for this match.
Among other things, the arena, which only holds 6,000 spectators and is actually too small for first division matches, must be made VAR-compatible. The usual alternative stadium, Montjuic—the venue that was also used in the past two seasons—is not available due to a concert.
CL matches at Camp Nou – subject to change
With regard to the Champions League, Barcelona has now informed UEFA that the matches are to be held at Camp Nou. According to the regulations, clubs must determine a venue where they will play their four home matches in the league phase until January.
But that could also be tight for the Blaugrana: the first match day is between September 16 and 18, and the Catalans would have to play at home by the second match day (September 30/October 1) at the latest. However, UEFA has allowed Barcelona to name an alternative venue if Camp Nou is still not ready for occupancy. According to Marca, the Blaugrana have named Montjuic as an alternative.
This gives Barcelona more time to complete Camp Nou and obtain the necessary permits from the city administration. Without the initial occupancy permit, no games can be played in the stadium—and the club has still not received it.