Barcelona confident of 1:1 rule return despite Camp Nou setback; find a workaround for VIP seats deal | OneFootball

As confirmed earlier today, FC Barcelona have now postponed their return to Spotify Camp Nou once again.

Having initially announced that the return to the iconic stadium would take place on August 10, for the Joan Gamper Trophy, Barça confirmed that they have not been able to obtain the requisite licenses for the return and as such, it has been postponed.

The target remains for the comeback to take place in September, for the game against Valencia, but the Blaugrana are already working on a Plan B – a potential return to Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in Montjuic for the first phase of the season.

What impact it would have on the VIP seats deal and 1:1 rule

Now, according to Mundo Deportivo, one of the key financial considerations if Barcelona are forced to continue playing at Montjuic is whether the 2024/25 audit report from Crowe, due in early August, will include the VIP seating revenue operation.

The transaction involves the lease of 475 VIP seats built at the Spotify Camp Nou, valued at €100 million – €30 million from Fortia Advisor Limited and €70 million from New Era Visionary Group.

Barcelona could return to Montjuic. (Photo by Pedro Salado/Getty Images)

The ratification of that deal by the auditors, subject to the physical presence of the VIP seats, is key for Barça to return to the 1:1 Fair Play rule.

According to the report, if the Barcelona City Council does not grant the First Occupancy Licence in time for a September return to Camp Nou, the plan is to activate those VIP seats at Montjuic instead – a workaround on the initial plan

As a result, the Blaugrana believe there is no risk to meeting La Liga’s financial 1:1 rule, provided the Crowe audit is validated by the league.

This would enable Barcelona to operate freely in the summer transfer window and register all necessary players.

Nevertheless, the club remain hopeful and committed to returning to the Spotify Camp Nou in September.

They also believe the VIP seat experience would be far more aligned with the club’s identity if launched at their home stadium rather than at Montjuïc.