Barcelona is pushing for a bold fixture change to address ongoing uncertainties surrounding the Spotify Camp Nou renovations.
With the necessary licences still pending and significant construction yet to be completed, the club is grappling with logistical challenges for hosting matches in the near future.
The original plan to resume games at their iconic home ground in September is increasingly unlikely, forcing the La Liga champions to explore alternative venues to ensure their fixtures proceed smoothly.
According to ElDesmarque, Barcelona is contemplating a bold request to La Liga to swap the home and away fixtures for their scheduled match against Valencia on September 13-14.
Instead of hosting Valencia at Camp Nou, the club may ask to play the first leg at Valencia’s Mestalla stadium and stage the return fixture at Camp Nou later in the season.
This unconventional move aims to address the uncertainty surrounding Camp Nou’s readiness, but coordinating such a switch could prove challenging due to scheduling complexities.
The situation is compounded by other venue constraints.
Barcelona has an agreement to use the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys until February, but a Post Malone concert on September 12 makes it unavailable for the Valencia match.
Another option, Girona’s Estadi Montilivi, is also under consideration.
Meanwhile, UEFA’s recent inspection of Camp Nou suggests the stadium is unlikely to be ready for Champions League group stage matches next month, adding further pressure to find a solution.
The delays at Camp Nou have been a recurring issue. Initial hopes of returning in November 2024 were dashed, followed by missed targets for El Clásico in May 2025 and the Joan Gamper Trophy in August, which was held at Estadi Johan Cruyff instead.
With fears growing that the team may need to relocate to Montjuic for the fourth round of La Liga, Barcelona’s management is working urgently to navigate these challenges and ensure minimal disruption to their season.
Want to get the latest Barcelona news direct to your phone? Join our WhatsApp community by clicking here.
