Barcelona’s highly anticipated return to the Camp Nou for the Joan Gamper Trophy on 10 August is under serious threat. The club is racing against time to complete necessary construction work that would allow 62,000 fans into the stadium for the traditional pre-season match.
Barcelona will return to the Camp Nou for a pre-season match on August 10, marking the stadium’s partial reopening as it undergoes extensive renovation.
— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) June 25, 2025
The stadium will host Barca’s annual Joan Gamper trophy with a reduced capacity due to the unfinished works.
Club sources… pic.twitter.com/m4L3HoCJ18
Stadium Work Behind Schedule
The city council has made it clear that the required permits will only be granted if renovation work on the lower and middle stands is fully completed. As it stands, Barcelona's request to use the venue is unlikely to be approved, with delays affecting the delivery of key structural areas. The revamped Camp Nou is projected to accommodate 105,000 fans, making it the largest stadium in Spain. Barça had initially aimed to return for their 125th anniversary celebrations in November 2024, but delays have pushed that milestone further out of reach.
Permit Process: One Down, One to Go
On July 10, Barcelona secured the Llicència d’Obres, the first of two mandatory licenses. However, they still need the Llicència d’Ocupació, which permits actual occupancy and crowd presence. Without it, the Gamper match cannot be played in front of fans at Camp Nou. Barcelona’s deputy mayor, Laia Bonet, cautioned as early as June that the work was “not yet there” and required proper completion before occupancy could be allowed.
“The work must be completed on time and in the proper manner in order to apply for the provisional first occupancy licence for the opening of the first and second stands,” she said.
Estadi Johan Cruyff Likely the Next Destination
With uncertainty mounting, Barça is exploring alternative venues, with the Estadi Johan Cruyff, adjacent to La Masia. This smaller stadium currently hosts Barcelona Atletic and the women’s team.
Montjuic Lease Not Extended
Barcelona have played at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys (Montjuic) for the past two seasons during Camp Nou’s reconstruction. However, the lease does not extend into the 2025-26 season, further emphasizing the urgency of completing the Camp Nou project.
La Liga has granted Barça permission to play their first three league matches away from home, giving the club until 14 September, when they are scheduled to host Valencia, to have the stadium match-ready.
Gamper Trophy History and Pressure
Barça’s last two Gamper Trophy matches were played at Montjuic: a 4-2 win over Tottenham in 2023 and a 3-0 loss to AS Monaco last year. With pressure mounting, the club may be forced to host a third straight edition away from their iconic home.
