Barca’s Nou Camp return delayed after permit denied

After the city council turned down their request for an essential permit on Tuesday, Barcelona’s return to the Nou Camp has been delayed even more.

Real Sociedad, the champions of La Liga, had a capacity of 27, 000 and was hoping to play them on Sunday.

Instead, Barca will play at Montjuic Hill’s 55, 000-seat Olympic Stadium, where they have played previously for two seasons while undergoing renovation work.

The club thanked staff members and supporters for their “complex and exciting support” and stated that they were working on the amendments the council gave.

Barcelona’s women’s team’s home ground, Johan Cryuff Stadium, has hosted two home games, with victories coming against Valencia and Getafe at the much smaller 6, 000-capacity facility.

According to the city’s fire department, there are issues with evacuation routes, among other safety concerns.

However, according to Joan Sentelles, the Barca’s operations director, “just because it’s not finished, doesn’t mean it’s not safe.”

Sentelles added that the stadium’s roof will be constructed in 2027, one year later than originally anticipated.

The Nou Camp has been undergoing renovations since it opened in June 2023, costing about £1.1 billion, with the aim of increasing capacity to 105, 000, making it one of the biggest grounds in the world.

The goal was to return to the venue in November 2024 to mark the club’s 125th anniversary, but that goal has since since come to an end.