Barcelona’s £1.25bn Nou Camp project ‘is delayed again’ as Spanish giants admit it would take a ‘MIRACLE’ to finish 105,000-seater stadium on time
Barcelona will need a ‘miracle’ to finish their £1.25billion Nou Camp project on time, with chiefs fearing the 105,000-capacity stadium may not be ready until the start of next season, according to reports in Spain.
The LaLiga giants, who had initially hoped to unveil the newly-renovated stadium as part of the club’s 125th anniversary on November 29, have already been forced to push back their return until March.
In an update to supporters last month, the Catalans confirmed they will continue to play matches at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys until the New Year and beyond.
The club claimed a UEFA rule had been a key factor, with European football’s governing body preventing teams from moving stadiums during the initial phase of the Champions League.
Barcelona, who sit second in the Champions League’s group stage table behind Arne Slot’s in-form Liverpool, had hoped to return in time for knockout stages of the competition in March.
But now, according to Spanish outlet Marca, Barcelona’s board are accepting it will take a ‘miracle’ to return in time for the new March deadline, with the Spotify Nou Camp still a building site.
Barcelona will need a ‘miracle’ to finish their £1.25billion Spotify Nou Camp project on time
The LaLiga giants had initially hoped to unveil the newly-renovated stadium on November 29
The arena was gutted and stripped back in order to rebuild the third tier and increase capacity
Now, Barca chiefs (pictured: Joan Laporta) are accepting that more delays are an inevitability
The report claims Barcelona are firmly expecting to remain away from the club’s stadium for the remainder of the season — and may not return in time for the start of next campaign.
It is claimed that emergency exit plans and turf laying are well behind schedule in particular.
Should they qualify, which looks likely at this stage, the LaLiga leaders will want to begin their 2025-26 Champions League campaign at the Spotify Nou Camp so not to breach UEFA’s stadium rule.
The Catalan club first moved out of the Nou Camp back in May 2023 so they could start the major renovation of their 67-year-old stadium.
The iconic arena was disembowelled to the bare bones with only a concrete skeleton remaining, removing the entire top tier in order to rebuild the third one and increase capacity by 6,000 seats.
When completed, the Spotify Nou Camp will be the largest sports venue in Europe.
