Barcelona consider delaying Camp Nou return until November and continuing at Montjuic | OneFootball

FC Barcelona are awaiting the granting of the First Occupation Licence so that they can return to the Spotify Camp Nou.

According to Albert Batlle, Barcelona’s Deputy Mayor for Security, it is not ruled out that the club may obtain authorisation to reopen the stadium in time for the match against Girona on Saturday, 18 October.

This would be under phase 1A, which would allow 27,000 seats between the main stand and part of the South Goal.

Return in November

However, according to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona have analysed the situation and one of the options being considered by them is not to return to Spotify Camp Nou until November.

The main reason Barcelona are considering staying longer at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in Montjuic until November, despite possibly obtaining the 1A licence for the Girona match, lies in prioritising maximum attendance.

Currently, Montjuic offers a much higher capacity than an early return to Spotify Camp Nou, with only 27,000 supporters.

For example, 50,103 spectators attended the Barcelona vs Real Sociedad match last Sunday at the Lluis Companys, and another full house is expected tonight against PSG.

Come November, Barça will ideally have 45,000 seats available at Camp Nou under phase 1B, with the lateral stand reopened and only the North Goal closed.

Barça could continue at Estadi Lluis Companys until November. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Therefore, even if Barcelona receive municipal approval for the Girona match on 18 October, this game, as well as the following Champions League fixture against Olympiacos on 21 October and the La Liga match against Elche on 2 November, could still be played at Montjuic.

Once the licence is obtained, the decision on when to return to the Camp Nou would rest entirely with the club, allowing them to manage the timing according to their interests.

The Athletic Bilbao match a key date

One date marked by the board of directors as a potential return to Spotify Camp Nou, should they postpone it for capacity and financial reasons, is Saturday, 22 November, for the match against Athletic Bilbao, after the third international break.

By then, 45,000 seats could be available, almost matching the Lluis Companys capacity but with the added advantage of returning home.

There is also the possibility that phase 1C, with 62,000 seats, could be approved by then. This would guarantee significantly higher revenue than at Estadi Olimpic.

Remaining at the Estadi Olimpic until November could generate substantial income to balance the losses from matches against Valencia and Getafe, which had to be played at the Johan Cruyff Stadium with only 6,000 seats.

In addition, it would mean avoiding interruptions to the renovation works at Spotify Camp Nou, since hosting matches would otherwise force construction stoppages.

In any case, the option is under study, and the board of directors has not yet given its approval.