Camp Nou gets green light to reopen

It’s official – Barcelona City Council has finally approved the first occupancy licence for the Spotify Camp Nou, allowing the stadium to reopen its doors to 27,000 fans.

The decision, confirmed on Friday, October 17, and reported by Catalunya Ràdio, marks the first big step in the phase 1A of the stadium’s huge renovation project. But while that may sound like good news for Barça supporters, there’s a catch – only a limited part of the stadium will be open for now, specifically the South Goal and Tribuna (Main Stand) sections.

The club, however, isn’t rushing to celebrate. FC Barcelona has already said it won’t move back into Camp Nou just yet, holding off until it gets approval for 45,000 spectators – the number it believes is needed to make reopening worthwhile.

City Hall approval comes after safety row

The new licence comes only weeks after local authorities refused an earlier request from the club, saying the safety measures were not up to standard.

Back in September, city inspectors pointed out several issues: handrails that were too low, unfinished staircases, and poorly marked emergency exits. These problems led the council to reject Barça’s plan to reopen the partially renovated ground to the public.

The club, for its part, denied any security concerns, insisting that ‘safety is guaranteed’ and that its facilities fully complied with regulations.

Now, after a fresh review, the City Council has finally agreed to issue the licence – a small but important step forward for the club, which has been eager to bring fans back home since the redevelopment began.

Barça still waiting for the full comeback

For now, the 27,000-seat limit will apply to matches played in the Gol Sur and Tribuna areas, while the rest of the stadium remains under construction. The ongoing renovation is part of the Espai Barça project, an ambitious plan to completely transform Camp Nou into a modern, sustainable and high-tech venue by 2026.

Since 2023, FC Barcelona has been playing its home games at Montjuïc’s Olympic Stadium, but attendance there has been noticeably lower. Many fans say it just doesn’t have the same energy – and they’re desperate to return to their historic home ground.

Still, the club says it’s prepared to wait until it receives the green light for 45,000 fans, which would make it financially and logistically viable to host matches at Camp Nou again.

What’s next for Camp Nou’s reopening?

City officials confirmed that further inspections will take place as construction moves into the next stages. Each new licence will depend on whether the club meets updated safety, accessibility, and crowd management requirements.

Once the next phase is approved, Barça could finally stage its long-awaited return.

For now, though, the latest development feels like a turning point. After months of back-and-forth with city authorities, Barça is one step closer to coming home.

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