Barcelona relocated the Joan Gamper Trophy exhibition match on Aug. 10 from Camp Nou to Estadi Johan Cruyff, marking one more delay within the membership’s plans to reopen their stadium due to an ongoing renovation undertaking.
La Liga’s champions will play Como subsequent month in a match that was purported to mark their return to Camp Nou, however allowing points will now make it unattainable for them to play on the venue on that date.
“This resolution is because of the truth that the required work to adjust to the necessities of the Ordinance Regulating Municipal Intervention Procedures in Development Works has made it unattainable to finish the procedures required for the granting of the preliminary licence,” the membership stated in an announcement. “Particularly, because of the scale of the work carried out, it has not been doable to fulfill all of the situations laid out by the laws governing this licence, regardless of the membership’s intention to reopen the redeveloped stadium sector by sector.”
The 6,000-seater Estadi Johan Cruyff, the place the ladies’s crew repeatedly performs, will host the match as a substitute. Barcelona have primarily performed in Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys whereas Camp Nou undergoes renovations, a stadium that seats 55,926.
The wait to see when Barcelona will return to Camp Nou will now prolong to Sept. 14, when the primary house match of La Liga’s season is scheduled to happen towards Valencia. That match remains to be scheduled to happen at Camp Nou, although the venue would nonetheless be within the remaining levels of its development undertaking and the stadium wouldn’t be open at full capability.
This is an explainer on the Camp Nou renovation undertaking because the anticipate Barcelona to re-enter their famed stadium continues.
When did Barcelona final play at Camp Nou?
Barcelona’s remaining sport at Camp Nou was on Could 28, 2023 in a 3-0 win towards Mallorca. Ansu Fati scored a brace and Robert Lewandowski additionally obtained on the scoresheet, whereas the match was the ultimate time Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets performed for the membership earlier than becoming a member of MLS’ Inter Miami.
What renovations are happening at Camp Nou?
There have been plans to broaden and renovate Camp Nou as early as 2007 however the present development undertaking was confirmed in April 2022 and commenced following the conclusion of the 2022-23 season. The principle focus of the undertaking was the demolition of the third tier to broaden Camp Nou’s capability from 99,000 to 105,000, which might make it the fifth-largest stadium on the earth, however different parts of the stadium can be up to date throughout development.
“The work will give attention to the primary and second tier, technological facets, the environs of the stadium, and exterior urbanisation,” Barcelona stated in an announcement in April 2022. “Actions contained in the Camp Nou will embody the demolition of the extra construction within the South Aim zone the place the Medical Centre was situated, restoration work, anti-carbonation and waterproofing of the stands, in addition to structural finishes and the advance and renovation of retransmission programs.
“When it comes to expertise, the plan is to put in new telecommunications connections, to relocate the info processing centre, to create a technical room for monitoring inside telecommunications infrastructures and to put in the brand new amenities for the TV Compound, for parking of cell TV models. There can even be actions across the stadium, together with work on the Lateral Zone automotive park, the development of the brand new good central storage space, an experiential area for informing members and advertising the undertaking, and the transplantation and conditioning of the timber.”
What’s the timeline for Barcelona’s return to Camp Nou?
Barcelona initially anticipated to be again at Camp Nou for the 2023-24 season at 50 % capability whereas the ultimate levels of the development undertaking continued earlier than returning to full capability for the 2024-25 season. Completely different construction-related delays have pushed out the date of their return, although.
The membership will now goal Sept. 14 because the earliest doable return to Camp Nou, when Barcelona are scheduled to play Valencia of their opening house match of the upcoming season. In the event that they make the date, the venue can be open at 50 % capability.
