Barcelona's Champions League venue location
Barcelona finds itself in an unprecedented situation as the club prepares for the new season. The renovation of their iconic Camp Nou stadium, which began in June 2023, has caused a series of unexpected complications.
The much-anticipated Champions League campaign kicks off this week as Barcelona faces Newcastle United away. However, the club's home games are shrouded in uncertainty, with UEFA's permission allowing Barcelona to defer their first couple of matches to another venue. Potential venues include Espanyol's RCDE Stadium or Girona's Estadio Municipal de Montilivi.
Camp Nou is ready to be used, pending the necessary clearance. However, the stadium needs to complete two construction phases before it hosts Champions League football, with the South Goal and Main Stand still requiring work to satisfy UEFA regulations. The club is waiting for approval from Barcelona City Council, the Fire Department, Civil Protection, and local police for the construction on these stands.
Barcelona's academy ground, Estadi Johan Cruyff, has already hosted their first home game of the season. However, it's not suitable for Champions League matches, leaving the club in search of alternative venues.
Manager Hansi Flick is unsure where Barcelona will host their opponents due to the state of their ground. The club is hoping for some wiggle room from UEFA, as they can't switch back to Camp Nou until the knockout stages.
If the Camp Nou is not ready, FC Barcelona will use the Montjuïc Stadium for their upcoming Champions League home game against Paris Saint-Germain on October 1, 2025, and possibly other matches. Additionally, for a December La Liga game, they have approval to play at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
The delays in completing Camp Nou have caused disappointment among fans eager to return. President Joan Laporta claims that Cules would be able to return home in December 2024. Barcelona remains one of the favourites for the Champions League this season, and fans will be eagerly awaiting updates on when they can return to their beloved Camp Nou.
It remains probable that Camp Nou will host games of some kind across the Champions League this season, depending on UEFA's willingness to work with Barcelona. Getafe are scheduled to be Barcelona's first LaLiga guests at the new Camp Nou on September 21, but its readiness is unconfirmed. Barcelona have been drawn against Paris Saint-Germain, Eintracht Frankfurt, Olympiacos, and Copenhagen in the Champions League, adding to the anticipation and uncertainty surrounding their home games.
As the situation continues to evolve, Barcelona fans can only wait and hope for a swift resolution to the stadium's renovation issues, allowing them to return to their traditional home and cheer on their team in person.
Read also:
- United States tariffs pose a threat to India, necessitating the recruitment of adept negotiators or strategists, similar to those who had influenced Trump's decisions.
- Weekly happenings in the German Federal Parliament (Bundestag)
- Southwest region's most popular posts, accompanied by an inquiry:
- Discussion between Putin and Trump in Alaska could potentially overshadow Ukraine's concerns
