Barcelona submit documents to expand Camp Nou to 62,000 fans | OneFootball

FC Barcelona made their long-awaited return to Spotify Camp Nou in November when Hansi Flick’s team hosted Athletic Club. The stadium welcomed 45,157 spectators for the match, but parts of the ground remained closed due to ongoing renovation works.

Now, the Blaugranes are preparing to increase the stadium’s capacity to 62,000 with the opening of the North Stand.

In this regard, Mundo Deportivo reports that the Catalan club has submitted all the required documentation to the Barcelona City Council and is currently awaiting approval for License 1C.

Once granted, this will allow the first and second tiers to be fully occupied, filling previously empty sections during matches and enhancing the visual appeal of the stadium.

The expansion to 62,000 spectators represents an important step in the gradual return of fans to their home ground. Following this, Barcelona will focus on the final stage of renovations, the construction of the third tier, which will bring the stadium’s full capacity to approximately 105,000, expected to be ready around the start of next season.

FC Barcelona has not announced a specific match for the reopening of the North Stand, as it depends entirely on City Council approval. However, the visit of Real Oviedo on January 25 could provide the first opportunity for fans to witness both tiers fully occupied.

The club’s first two La Liga matches of 2026, against RCD Espanyol on January 3 and Real Sociedad on January 18, will be played away from home. Their next European fixture will be away against Slavia Prague on January 21, and the Copa del Rey round of 16 tie between January 13 and 15 will also be played on the road.

If the North Stand is not ready for the Oviedo match, fans may have to wait a few more days, with the next possible occasion being the Champions League clash against Copenhagen on January 28.

The expansion marks a significant milestone for Barcelona and their supporters, bringing the club closer to a fully packed Spotify Camp Nou and restoring the stadium to its iconic atmosphere.