FC Barcelona is getting ready to return to their famed Spotify Camp Nou with plans to hold the Joan Gamper Trophy against the Serie A side Como.
Having spent more than two years at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, the club is eager to welcome their supporters back to their renovated Spotify Camp Nou, while still under construction with a capacity reduced between 25,000 and 35,000, back to their home stadium.
The event will mark the first time that Barcelona can welcome supporters back since embarking on the ambitious stadium project, though there remain significant obstacles for Hansi Flick and the club’s executives regarding construction delays and outstanding approvals as they all follow through with the project.
After negotiating directly with the Barcelona City Council, the club received the Activity and Works License from the City of Barcelona, extending the facility for hosting the Gamper Trophy match and various activities that may happen in the stadium.
The club is waiting on the First Occupancy Permit from the council, which the club believes will happen by the end of July, so they can make all arrangements for renting out the stadium and planning for their event.
This license not only matters for the trophy match but is also vital for the validation of the €100 million of leased VIP seating, so Barcelona can boost its financial accounts to help alleviate that stress on La Liga’s salary cap, as reported by Mundo Deportivo.
If the club is given the permit, there will be a load test with its suppliers and with the input from local authorities to assess the readiness of the facility corresponding with UEFA and La Liga and building safety.
The return to Camp Nou carries immense financial and emotional weight for Barcelona.
The Gamper Trophy will serve as a test run for the partially completed stadium, with ongoing work on the third tier, VIP ring, and roof extending into the 2025-26 season.
Despite earlier setbacks shifting the timeline from November 2024, the club has ruled out reverting to Montjuïc due to scheduling conflicts. As anticipation builds, fans are eager for this symbolic homecoming, marking a new chapter for the Blaugrana.
Want to get the latest Barcelona news direct to your phone? Join our WhatsApp community by clicking here.
