Report: Barca’s Camp Nou rebuild still incomplete with season start looming | OneFootball

Barca’s Camp Nou Return in Doubt Amid Financial Troubles and Unfinished Plans

Barcelona’s planned return to the Camp Nou on August 10 for the Joan Gamper Trophy hangs in the balance. After more than two years of redevelopment work and five rescheduled return dates, question marks persist over whether the stadium will be ready in time. The €1.5billion renovation project, initially expected to welcome fans back in November 2024, has suffered repeated delays, bureaucratic complications and logistical setbacks.

Barca’s 2025-26 campaign is now scheduled to begin with three consecutive away matches. The hope is that their fourth fixture, at home to Valencia on the weekend of September 14, will be held at the Camp Nou. Whether that target is realistic depends on construction progress, licensing permissions and safety certifications.

While club officials maintain a confident front, a recent press briefing from Barcelona’s deputy mayor, Laia Bonet, emphasised the current uncertainty. “The work must be completed on time and in the proper manner in order to apply for the provisional first occupancy licence for the opening of the first and second stands,” she stated. “We are not there yet and we need time to check that the stadium is in a condition to welcome spectators.”

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Setbacks at every stage of construction

Work began in June 2023 with the ambition to increase the Camp Nou’s capacity to 105,000, making it the largest stadium in Europe. Initially, 60 per cent capacity was promised by November 2024 to mark Barca’s 125th anniversary. That timeline quickly unravelled.

In July 2024, Barca’s vice-president Elena Fort claimed everything was “going according to plan” but clarified that the stadium would be playable “by the end of the year”. Subsequent interviews from Fort and president Joan Laporta moved the goalposts again. The club eventually settled on a vague target of “the second half” of the 2024-25 season.

Barca’s extended stay at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys has already cost them an estimated €90million in lost revenue over two seasons. With permission now expired for that ground, and concerts scheduled that rule out further use, the club has no alternative venue secured. Barca sources insist there is no Plan B, although Fort conceded to La Vanguardia that the Johan Cruyff Stadium is a fallback, adding, “Life isn’t 100 per cent predictable, there’s always the possibility of something happening.”

Bureaucracy, resident complaints and supply chain issues

So why has the Camp Nou redevelopment dragged on? According to club figures, a mixture of logistical, regulatory and unforeseen complications have all played a part. These include the discovery of a high-voltage power line on-site, the bankruptcy of a key iron supplier, and issues importing skilled labour from outside the EU.

Further disruption came from disputes with local residents, who complained about excessive noise and light pollution. An agreement between neighbours, the council and Barca limited working hours, which only allowed noisy or illuminated work until 10pm. Permission for 24-hour internal work (excluding weekends) was only granted in March 2025 and will expire on August 2.

Meanwhile, a report by local outlet Ara claimed construction delays were partly due to prioritising VIP seat installation, which is critical to Barca’s financial strategy. These delays impact not only stadium readiness but also the club’s ability to meet La Liga’s salary cap regulations.

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Financial troubles shaping future plans

Barca’s financial situation is intimately tied to the stadium works. The €100million they received from Middle Eastern investors for VIP seating could not be included in their accounts, as those seats were not yet built. Crowe, the club’s audit partner, made that ruling, meaning the revenue cannot be counted until physical progress is made.

Fort clarified the urgency, stating that builders are now focused on finishing those sections of the stadium. Once completed, the funds can be officially recognised, offering a major boost to Barca’s financial outlook. This will aid in registering new signings and meeting La Liga’s strict salary cap requirements.

The entire Espai Barca project, including the Palau Blaugrana, campus, and surrounding development, is budgeted at €1.5billion. Of that, €990million was allocated for the Camp Nou. However, the recently added Skywalk feature was not in the original estimate and will cost more. Fort remains optimistic: “There’s no red line that makes us think it will become more expensive,” she told La Vanguardia.

Laporta previously claimed the Limak construction deal included penalties of €1million per day past the original November 2024 deadline. Yet in January 2025, Fort admitted no such fines had been enforced, and that penalties could only be assessed once construction was complete in 2026.

As things stand, Barca still lack the required permits for fans to attend the August 10 Joan Gamper Trophy. A “load test” will be conducted in early July, involving media, suppliers and emergency services but no fans, to determine the safe operating capacity of the stadium. Approval will also be needed from UEFA and La Liga.

No season tickets have gone on sale, nor have tickets for the Joan Gamper match, which is expected to feature Italian side Como. City officials confirmed no request has been made by Barca to use Montjuic again, but that it could be converted for football in just a week, assuming no disruption to scheduled concerts.

Outlook for Barca’s 2025-26 season

Despite a sea of uncertainty, Barca insist they will return to the Camp Nou next month. Whether they do so at full capacity, limited capacity or a different venue altogether remains to be seen. Visually, the stadium will still be incomplete in 2025, with the roof yet to be finished. Full completion is now targeted for summer 2026.

While delays have cast doubt over the club’s logistical readiness, the financial implications are even more pressing. The ability to include €100million in the budget, restore revenue streams from matchdays and satisfy La Liga’s registration requirements all hinge on the timely return to their spiritual home.

Barca’s short-term plans remain fixed on an August return, but in the long term, Espai Barca’s success could define their next era. Whether they get there on time will depend as much on bureaucracy and cement as it will on belief.