Barcelona’s hopes of returning to Camp Nou this weekend have been halted after the City Council refused to grant the reopening licence. Hansi Flick’s side will continue playing at Montjuïc, with security issues delaying the stadium comeback.
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LICENCE DENIED BY CITY COUNCIL
Barcelona had planned to host Real Sociedad at a reduced 27,000 capacity at Spotify Camp Nou. However, the City Council rejected the request, citing safety concerns despite optimism earlier in the week from President Joan Laporta and Vice-President Elena Fort.
OFFICIALS CITE SAFETY ISSUES
Deputy Mayor Laia Bonet explained the reasoning: “We are at the end of the first phase, which will culminate in the licensing process, but we need to ensure that all safety conditions are met. We share Barça’s desire for a successful and swift return. But this City Council must guarantee the safety of fans. This is our priority.”
DETAILS OF DEFICIENCIES
A council source outlined the problems: “We’re in the verification phase. These are mainly deficiencies in the evacuation exits and the clearing of the camp. There’s a failure to comply with regulations.
There are also accessibility issues that affect the safety of evacuation traffic: poor signage, handrails, poorly finished stairs. Vehicle accessibility… but there’s a lot of work done, and we don’t expect it to be a lengthy process.”
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BARCELONA NEXT FIXTURES
With Camp Nou unavailable, Barcelona will continue at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys. They will host Real Sociedad there on Sunday, and UEFA has confirmed that the Champions League clash against Paris Saint-Germain on 1 October will also take place at Montjuïc.
WAIT FOR REOPENING DATE
The reopening timeline remains uncertain. Both the club and council are eager to resolve the outstanding issues, with Barcelona determined to return to Camp Nou once final safety inspections are cleared.
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FAQs: Barcelona Camp Nou Reopening
Why was Barcelona denied permission to return to Camp Nou?
The City Council refused due to safety concerns, including issues with evacuation exits, accessibility, and unfinished stairways.
Where will Barcelona play their upcoming matches?
Barcelona will host fixtures at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, including their clash against Real Sociedad and the Champions League match vs PSG.
What did Deputy Mayor Laia Bonet say about the decision?
She stressed that safety conditions must be met before approval, noting the council shares Barça’s desire for a swift return.
When will Camp Nou reopen?
No exact date has been set, but both the club and council expect the remaining issues to be resolved quickly.