Official: Barcelona confirm venue for Girona clash as Camp Nou wait continues | OneFootball

As expected, FC Barcelona have now officially announced that their next home against Girona will be taking place at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in Montjuic and not at the Spotify Camp Nou.

The match against the Catalan rivals, set to be played on 18 October, had been earmarked as the potential date for the reopening of the iconic Camp Nou after more than two years away from the stadium.

However, Barcelona, still working on acquiring the First Occupancy Licence from the City Council, have decided that the game will be played at Montjuic instead, just like their last two home games against Real Sociedad and PSG.

“FC Barcelona announces that the LaLiga Matchday 9 match against Girona FC, which will be played on Saturday, October 18 at 4:15 p.m., will be played at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys,” the club statement read.

Update on Camp Nou return

Meanwhile, the statement released from the Blaugrana also had details about the latest update regarding a potential return to Camp Nou.

“The Club continues to work to obtain the necessary administrative permits for the opening of Spotify Camp Nou and is in constant contact with Barcelona City Council to conduct the relevant inspections in the coming days,” it read.

Further continuing, Barcelona stated that the green light for the reopening of the stadium, with 27,000 fans, was close, but the idea is to return once 45,000 fans can be welcomed after the Phase 1B and 1C of the project are also approved.

“In this context, although the first occupancy license for Phase 1A (Stands and Goal) is expected to be received soon – which would allow for an occupancy of up to 27,000 spectators – FC Barcelona will work towards returning to Spotify Camp Nou once it has obtained the license corresponding to Phase 1B (Stands, Goal and Side), which will increase the capacity to 45,000 spectators.”

Barcelona gave a three-fold reason for the decision, which are as follows:

“FC Barcelona thanks its members and fans for their understanding and support during such a complex and exciting process as the return to the new Spotify Camp Nou,” the statement concluded.