“The Ball is in the Court of the City Council”- Joan Laporta awaiting first occupancy License for Spotify Camp Nou return

Sep 24, 2025 1 min read
“The Ball is in the Court of the City Council”- Joan Laporta awaiting first occupancy License for Spotify Camp Nou return
 Joan Laporta, president of Barça, said that this afternoon the Barcelona City Council must decide whether to give the green light for next Sunday's match against Real Sociedad to be played at the Barcelona stadium with 27,000 members

In an interview with RAC 1’s ‘El Món’ programme, FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta addressed the long-awaited reopening of the Spotify Camp Nou. The club expects to receive the First Occupancy License today, which would allow Barça to host Real Sociedad on Sunday in front of 27,000 members, as planned in phase 1a of the return. This stage would enable access to the Tribuna and Gol Sur areas.

Compliance and Safety Confirmed

Laporta stressed that the club has met all requirements: Certificate of Completion of Work, Dekra safety evaluation and Firefighters and environmental assessments.

“All the reports are positive,” Laporta said. “Now the ball is in the court of the City Council. We need the licence for sporting and economic reasons.”

Alternatives if Licence Is Delayed

Should approval not arrive in time, Barça will decide between the Olympic Stadium (Lluís Companys) or the Johan Cruyff Stadium. “Everything points to Lluís Companys, where we will also host PSG in the Champions League,” Laporta revealed.

Champions League Complications

One uncertainty remains regarding UEFA rules, which stipulate that all matches of the league phase of the Champions League must be played in the same stadium. Laporta, however, highlighted the positive relationship between Barça and UEFA, a factor that could facilitate a return to the Spotify Camp Nou after playing PSG at Montjuïc.

“We Want to Return as Soon as Possible”

Laporta reiterated the urgency of the comeback: "We want to return to the Camp Nou as soon as possible. We need the First Occupation Licence. LaLiga and UEFA have already said the pitch is ready to play."

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