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

Marcus Rashford may play his first residence sport 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 may as a substitute 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 continues to be not prepared for followers, regardless of the membership saying they might be again taking part in video games there in November 2024, to coincide with the membership's a 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 slightly additional time because of the worldwide break that adopted, the membership haven't but obtained paperwork that permit it to open.
The Olympic Stadium, used as their substitute residence floor for the previous two seasons, is the venue for a Submit 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 may maintain as much as 100,000 folks. Right here, we take a look at what renovations the membership is making, why it’s taking so lengthy and the way followers really feel about it.
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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 objective 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 will not be able to host Sunday's La Liga residence sport towards Valencia (20:00 BST) – with the swap to a a lot smaller venue solely introduced on Tuesday.
The membership mentioned in an announcement that it’s working to get a allow to open the stadium "within the coming weeks".
That let, referred to as the Remaining Development Certificates, is granted by the town council.
Studies in Spanish media counsel 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 price Barcelona loads of matchday income.
"Logically it issues us greater than it worries us," mentioned a membership supply concerning the income loss.
"However we hope to greater than compensate for this inconvenience of diminished 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 girls's and youth groups, isn't formally large enough to host a La Liga sport. League guidelines say a floor should maintain at the least 8,000 followers.
However an exception has been made on this case on "architectural" grounds.
Work has been executed 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 may enter it.
'That's 16,151 members," in line with the membership.
Miquel Taberner, like loads of Barcelona followers, was unimpressed.
"Most followers really feel disenchanted, 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 will not be the identical with out it. We perceive the work being executed is important, however the absence is strongly felt.
"Transparency and life like timelines would assist ease that frustration, however sadly folks on the membership don't really feel the identical manner."
Valencia – seeking 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 had been involved in regards to the uncertainty of not having a chosen venue in the identical week because the match," the membership mentioned.
"We’ve got been instructed from FC Barcelona that we may 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 ideally suited.
"It's a scenario that I feel ought to have been resolved a very long time in the past, not just for the group but additionally for the followers," he mentioned. "I feel they deserve a solution to allow them to go and cheer on the group."
A Barcelona supply instructed BBC Sport that the Nou Camp might be able to welcome followers for his or her league match on 28 September towards Actual Sociedad.
Nevertheless, they may not affirm 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 potential however we received't know till the center of subsequent week," the supply mentioned.
Followers like Miquel are much less optimistic.
"Formally, the objective is 2026, however truthfully I do foresee an extended view. Massive tasks usually face delays and that's OK. Our expectations are tempered," he mentioned.
"The hope is that at any time when it opens, it’s delivered to the best commonplace and worthy of the membership's id."
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