Why is Barcelona's first residence recreation not at Nou Camp? – BBC

Marcus Rashford might play his first residence recreation of the season for Barcelona in a stadium far smaller than the one he was anticipating.
Regardless of hopes that Barcelona would start the defence of their title on the newly renovated Nou Camp stadium, they are going to as an alternative play their first residence match on the a lot smaller 6,000-seater Johan Cruyff Stadium.
That’s as a result of the Nou Camp remains to be not prepared for followers, regardless of the membership saying they’d be again taking part in video games there in November 2024, to coincide with the membership's one hundred and twenty fifth anniversary.
The membership had been granted permission to play their first three fixtures away from residence to permit the completion of building work. However even with just a little further time due to the worldwide break that adopted, the membership haven't but obtained paperwork that enable it to open.
The Olympic Stadium, used as their substitute residence floor for the previous two seasons, is the venue for a Put up Malone live performance two days earlier than the match – ruling it out of use for Sunday.
Barcelona final performed on the Nou Camp in Could 2023 – a stadium which might maintain as much as 100,000 folks. Right here, we have a look at what renovations the membership is making, why it’s taking so lengthy and the way followers really feel about it.
Ship us your questions
The unique opening date of the stadium was November 2024
The Nou Camp has served as Barcelona's residence floor because it opened in 1957.
Renovation work started in June 2023, at a price of round 1.3bn euros, with the aim of modernising the stadium and increasing its capability to 105,000 – making it one of many largest grounds on the earth.
Barcelona have performed on the Nou Camp since 1957
However the Nou Camp is just not able to host Sunday's La Liga residence recreation towards Valencia (20:00 BST) – with the swap to a a lot smaller venue solely introduced on Tuesday.
The membership mentioned in a press release that it’s working to get a allow to open the stadium "within the coming weeks".
That allow, referred to as the Remaining Building Certificates, is granted by the town council.
Experiences in Spanish media recommend the stadium is prepared for use, pending the mandatory clearance.
Within the meantime, utilizing the 6,000-capacity Johan Cruyff Stadium – versus a completely operational Nou Camp, and even the 50,000 capability Olympic Stadium – goes to value Barcelona lots of matchday income.
"Logically it considerations us greater than it worries us," mentioned a membership supply relating to the income loss.
"However we hope to greater than compensate for this inconvenience of decreased revenue within the coming weeks."
The Johan Cruyff Stadium, named after the previous Barcelona participant and supervisor, opened in 2019.
The Johan Cruyff Stadium, residence venue for Barcelona's ladies's and youth groups, isn't formally large enough to host a La Liga recreation. League guidelines say a floor should maintain not less than 8,000 followers.
However an exception has been made on this case on "architectural" grounds.
Work has been completed to get the stadium prepared, together with organising digicam positions for the video assistant referee.
With so few areas out there, the membership arrange a poll for tickets – and solely those that had held full season tickets for each 2023-24 and 2024-25 might enter it.
'That's 16,151 members," in keeping with the membership.
Miquel Taberner, like lots of Barcelona followers, was unimpressed.
"Most followers really feel upset, and naturally I'm considered one of them," he mentioned.
"Camp Nou is not only a stadium, it’s the coronary heart of the membership and our matchday expertise is just not the identical with out it. We perceive the work being completed is important, however the absence is strongly felt.
"Transparency and real looking timelines would assist ease that frustration, however sadly folks on the membership don't really feel the identical approach."
Valencia – trying to enhance on final season's Twelfth-place end – have contacted La Liga to query each the selection of venue and the lateness of the swap.
"We have been involved concerning the uncertainty of not having a delegated venue in the identical week because the match," the membership mentioned.
"Now we have been informed from FC Barcelona that we might have 290 tickets for our followers so there’ll lastly be Valencia followers within the stands."
Valencia striker Diego Lopez, talking on Thursday, acknowledged the scenario was removed from preferrred.
"It's a scenario that I feel ought to have been resolved a very long time in the past, not just for the staff but in addition for the followers," he mentioned. "I feel they deserve a solution to allow them to go and cheer on the staff."
A Barcelona supply informed BBC Sport that the Nou Camp can be able to welcome followers for his or her league match on 28 September towards Actual Sociedad.
Nonetheless, they might not verify whether or not Barcelona would play their subsequent residence match, on 21 September towards Getafe, on the Nou Camp.
"We are going to attempt to pace it up if doable however we gained't know till the center of subsequent week," the supply mentioned.
Followers like Miquel are much less optimistic.
"Formally, the aim is 2026, however truthfully I do foresee an extended view. Massive tasks typically face delays and that's OK. Our expectations are tempered," he mentioned.
"The hope is that every time it opens, it’s delivered to the best normal and worthy of the membership's identification."
This text is the newest from BBC Sport's Ask Me Anything staff.
Ask Me Something is a service devoted to answering your questions.
We wish to reward your time by telling you belongings you have no idea and reminding you of belongings you do.
The staff will discover out the whole lot you must know and have the ability to name upon a community of contacts together with our specialists and pundits.
We can be answering your questions from the center of the BBC Sport newsroom, and going behind the scenes at a few of the world's largest sporting occasions.
Our protection will span the BBC Sport web site, app, social media and YouTube accounts, plus BBC TV and radio.
What is Fifa Intercontinental Cup?
Why will September international break be longer from 2026?
Who are London City Lionesses?
Why don't Chelsea have a shirt sponsor?
Historical past-maker Crawford stuns Canelo in Vegas
Why Tremendous Bowl revenge seems to be a protracted shot for Chiefs
What points want fixing at Man Metropolis?
Acclaimed interval thriller with an all-star solid
How the 1933 Enabling Act gave Adolf Hitler unchecked energy
A difficult story of sexual identification starring Brian Cox
Spinal Faucet: The legendary comedian band reunite after 40 years
What points want fixing at Man Metropolis?
'A part of our DNA' – contained in the Pink Roses' try-machine driving maul
Why Tremendous Bowl revenge seems to be a protracted shot for Chiefs
Has Martin misplaced backing to show Rangers round?
Woltemade exhibits Newcastle there may be life after Isak
Climate, feelings and 'trump card' Nelson – how Scotland can beat England
'I can't change folks's opinions of me' – Fernandes in his personal phrases
Down however not out! Beamish falls in steeplechase however nonetheless qualifies. VideoDown however not out! Beamish falls in steeplechase however nonetheless qualifies
Aiming for the highest – Kang's dramatic impression on WSL
Report-breaking Salt helps England to historic win towards South Africa. VideoReport-breaking Salt helps England to historic win towards South Africa
The making of 'showman' Duplantis – and the way excessive can he go?
Me or Garnacho? Rooney decides on superior bicycle kick. VideoMe or Garnacho? Rooney decides on superior bicycle kick
'It's ours' – Everton ladies able to name Goodison residence
The acid assault that drove Newcastle's Wissa to succeed
Auld enemies to outdated information, however Scotland purpose to reignite rivalry
'5 guys with balaclavas' – ex-Liverpool defender Knowledge on being stabbed
Fan takes catch regardless of being on crutches. VideoFan takes catch regardless of being on crutches
The Entire 10 Yards. VideoThe Entire 10 Yards
'Taking part in completely' – how does Alcaraz rank v males's tennis legends at 22?
Copyright © 2025 BBC. The BBC is just not chargeable for the content material of exterior websites. Read about our approach to external linking.

source