Barcelona have announced they will not return to Camp Nou until the second half of the 2024/25 season.
La Blaugrana left their spiritual home at the end of the 2022/23 campaign as work began on extensive redevelopment.
Since then, Barca have played their home games across town at the Estadi Olimpic, which features a capacity of 55,926 – down from roughly 99,000 during their most recent season at Camp Nou and from 105,000 once all renovations are complete.
Barcelona had initially intended to move back into Camp Nou at a similarly reduced capacity in December, but in a review of their latest financial figures, the club confirmed these plans have been pushed back.
“The men’s first team will continue to play at the Estadi Olimpic for the first half of the season, with the goal of returning to a partially opened Spotify Camp Nou for the second half,” a statement read.
“Lower recurring revenue from stadium operations is expected during the redevelopment of Spotify Camp Nou, with a progressive recovery of stadium revenue once the team returns.
“Playing at the Estadi Olimpic resulted in a reduction in annual ordinary revenue of over €100m. The club has offset this loss by bringing forward the redevelopment of Spotify Camp Nou as much as possible.”
Camp Nou, which will become the biggest stadium in Europe in terms of capacity, is not expected to be fully redeveloped until the latter years of this decade, but Barcelona are expected to reap huge financial benefits once this work is complete.
What we know
- Barcelona playing at Estadi Olimpic while Camp Nou undergoes redevelopment
- Club initially planned to return home in December
- Date pushed back until 2025.