Barcelona continue to ramp up preparations for the 2025/26 campaign, with optimism growing both on and off the pitch.
After a season filled with transitional challenges, new signings, and ongoing squad reshuffles, the Catalan giants are now turning their focus to re-establishing their home fortress.
Supporters have endured a lengthy wait to see their team return to Camp Nou, with renovation work forcing the club to relocate to the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys for over two seasons.
However, that long exile is nearing its end as the Joan Gamper Trophy marks Barcelona’s symbolic return to their spiritual home.
The Catalan club have officially confirmed the Gamper Trophy will be staged at the newly renovated Camp Nou on 10 August, and the aim is to welcome up to 60,000 fans for the occasion.
Barcelona vice-president Elena Fort spoke to SER Catalunya via Barca Blaugranes and gave detailed insight into the plans: “The idea is to return to the Gamper with 60,000 spectators, it is the objective and the idea and today I understand that it can be fulfilled.”
However, Fort was also cautious about the stadium’s current state, acknowledging: “It may also be that at some point there is an access that we do not consider sufficiently safe and, therefore, as we have security as a basic principle, we find that we have to close an area or not, etc… The goal is 60,000 spectators, but we’ll see in the coming weeks, we’ll know very soon.”
UEFA officials have already toured the site and were impressed with the progress.
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“They were absolutely delighted with the size and impact of this new stadium,” Fort added.
“I want to value, thank and congratulate all the anonymous people who are doing an immense job and who must be valued.
“They work day, night and weekends so that this dream can come true as soon as possible.
“It will be the best stadium in the world.”
Despite the progress, the club vice-president admitted the return won’t be to a fully completed stadium: “We will not find an absolutely finished pitch.
“It is a valid, effective return that works to get in, but we may find that we do not have all the restoration in operation, perhaps all the toilets are not finished… We are in a phase of return.
“It will not be 100% finished, but it will be fully valid to be used.”
Barcelona’s Gamper clash will be their first game at Camp Nou since May 2023 — a momentous occasion that could set the tone for a new chapter in the club’s history.
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