Barcelona’s season has already seen plenty of drama on and off the pitch, and fans were hoping for a special weekend at the Spotify Camp Nou.
Preparations had been underway for weeks to welcome supporters back to the iconic stadium, with safety and logistics carefully coordinated.
The club’s fixtures have been testing, with high-profile clashes in La Liga and the Champions League adding pressure on both players and staff.
Attendance numbers at alternative venues have been solid, but supporters have been desperate for the return to their hallowed home ground.
City officials and club management have been in constant discussions to meet all regulatory requirements and ensure a safe reopening.
Despite the optimism, Barcelona’s hopes of hosting Real Sociedad at the Camp Nou this Sunday were dashed when the City Council refused to grant the First Occupancy Licence on Tuesday.
Citing outstanding issues that still require addressing, the council confirmed that the Sociedad match would instead be moved to Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in Montjuic.
This decision continues a frustrating pattern for the Catalan club, whose fans have been eagerly anticipating the return to the stadium for months.
Barcelona are now planning for their homecoming against Girona on 18 October, according to reports from SPORT.
Officials are confident that, given the extra time, all safety requirements can be met before that fixture.
The club’s next home game after Sociedad will be the Champions League clash with PSG on 1 October, which will also take place in Montjuic, followed by an away trip to Sevilla before the international break.
Adding further optimism, Barcelona mayor Jaume Collboni has suggested that progress is being made and that fans can expect good news soon.
“I think we’re on the right schedule.
“A lot of progress has been made, and we’ll have good news soon,” he said in a recent interview, giving hope to supporters that the Spotify Camp Nou may finally welcome them back in the coming weeks.
The timing could not be more significant, as the club also plans to hold its General Assembly on 19 October, the day after the Girona fixture.
A return to the Camp Nou before that meeting would mark a symbolic and practical boost for Barcelona, giving fans a sense of normalcy and a renewed connection to their historic home.
For now, Montjuic will serve as the temporary fortress, but the Catalans remain determined to make a triumphant and safe return to the Spotify Camp Nou in mid-October.
Want to get the latest Barcelona news direct to your phone? Join our WhatsApp community by clicking here.
