Barcelona hope to expand Spotify Camp Nou capacity to 62,000 by January | OneFootball

Saturday is set to be a special one for Barcelona for multiple reasons, and Hansi Flick could not have hoped for a better time for so many simultaneous boosts to arrive.

For starters, Raphinha and Joan Garcia are expected to make their long-awaited returns from injury as Barcelona take on Athletic Club in La Liga. 

The bigger development, however, is the return to Barcelona to the Spotify Camp Nou after over 900 days, which will finally take place this weekend.

As the first game at the new and renovated stadium, it will be a historic game as Barcelona will play in front of 45,000 fans.

A bigger upgrade by the year-end

Barcelona’s current occupation license is for phase 1B, which permits them to accommodate 45,000 fans at the stadium and thus use the lateral stand as well.

Now, Mundo Deportivo relay that Joan Laporta and Co. have set a new target for themselves to ensure that the capacity of the venue is further expanded by January.

Barcelona working on further expansion of Camp Nou. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Phase 1C of the renovation will see the Spotify Camp Nou able to accommodate 62,000 fans and the board plans to not only complete the required construction but also secure the municipal green light and required licenses by the end of the year.

Barcelona’s last game at home in 2025 is against Osasuna on December 13th and the team will only return home thereafter in January, depending on their Copa del Rey draw.

If they are poised to play their Round of 16 Cup clash at home on January 14th, that could well be the first game with 62,000 fans. Otherwise, the occasion will arrive later in the month against Real Oviedo on January 25th.

Work is progressing at a rapid rate, and the club hope to incorporate more stands into use at the earliest.

The first goal, needless to say, will be to ensure an away stand for travelling fans, which is still not ready ahead of Barcelona’s first game back at home.