Barcelona return to Camp Nou with 45,401 capacity approved for Athletic Club clash | OneFootball

Barcelona will return to Camp Nou on Saturday after the city council granted the club its latest occupancy licence.

The approval allows 45,401 supporters to attend the La Liga meeting with Athletic Club and marks the first competitive match at the stadium since renovation work forced a two-season relocation.

Barcelona have spent the last two campaigns at the 55,926-capacity Olympic Stadium on Montjuic, which offered around 40,000 fewer seats than their permanent home.

The move was part of a major redevelopment project designed to expand Camp Nou to 105,000 seats and modernise the internal structure.

The council’s decision on Monday finalised the second stage of the authorisation process, known as Phase 1B, which raises the permitted capacity beyond the level granted earlier in the month.

The licence adds the Lateral stand to the already approved Tribune and South Goal areas and allows the club to host supporters across a broader section of the rebuilt arena.

Barcelona had opened parts of the ground earlier in November for an open training session attended by 23,000 fans.

The event offered the first public look at the refurbished pitch, new seating areas, and the updated access points that form part of the wider safety requirements imposed by the authorities.

The club’s return comes after a series of revised timelines over the past year. Initial plans suggested a partial reopening in late 2024, but construction delays, safety inspections and access-route concerns pushed the schedule back.

Barcelona ultimately abandoned their intention to stage the Joan Gamper Trophy at Camp Nou in August and played their opening home fixtures of the current season at the 6,000-capacity Estadi Johan Cruyff instead.

The council highlighted significant improvements in evacuation routes, handrail systems, entrances and internal circulation as the basis for granting the new permit.

Barcelona have also completed a new players’ tunnel, updated dressing rooms and modernised fire-safety installations.

Digital access gates and integrated ticketing systems have been adapted to operate alongside ongoing construction.

The club is now working on Phase 1C, which will eventually reopen the North Goal. Full completion of the redevelopment remains scheduled for June 2026, with current costs estimated at €900 million.

Barcelona intend to play the remainder of the season at Camp Nou under reduced capacity while continuing to coordinate with UEFA regarding Champions League fixtures.

The club has already opened member presales for Saturday’s match and confirmed that digital-only ticketing will remain in use during the partial-capacity period.

The return marks the first step towards the full relaunch of the rebuilt stadium and restores the team to their historic home after 894 days away.