The start of the season for FC Barcelona remains surrounded by uncertainties. The final decision on the stadium where the first home match will be played won't be made until Monday. The opponent is clear: Valencia, but the exact date, Saturday, September 13 or Sunday, September 14, still depends on the Champions League draw.
The main problem continues to be Camp Nou, as the blaugrana club still hasn't obtained the Final Construction Certificate. Without it, the City Council can't process the First Occupancy License. Meanwhile, the club is working to explore alternatives.
Alternatives on the table
The clearest option is Johan Cruyff Stadium. On Wednesday, members of LaLiga visited its facilities. Their goal was to inspect whether the stadium could host the match against Valencia. From the club, they're already considering every detail: approval, VAR technology, and general logistics.
Montjuïc is ruled out, as a Post Malone concert will be held there. Montilivi doesn't fully convince either, which is why Johan Cruyff is emerging as the most viable alternative. However, it has a significant drawback: it can only offer 6,000 seats, which would significantly limit the capacity.
Time pressure
The schedule is tight. The club must inform UEFA this Thursday, August 28, where it will play its Champions League group stage matches. Montjuïc has been reserved as plan B in case Camp Nou renovations aren't ready.
The lack of time forces quick decisions. If Barça wants to play at its Sports City, it must give advance notice. It's necessary to approve the stadium and prepare the required technology for VAR. All this adds to the uncertainty about the first LaLiga match.
LaLiga and Barça, face to face
The relationship between LaLiga and Barcelona is being put to the test, as the organization didn't allow the order of the matches to be changed or to play first at Mestalla. This forced the club to explore new alternatives. The visit of its representatives to Johan Cruyff reflects the urgency to finalize a safe plan.
Joan Laporta and his team know that the decision doesn't only affect the first match. It also impacts logistics, security, and the fan experience. The face-to-face with LaLiga will be key to defining the roadmap.
Camp Nou remains the first option, but the renovations and lack of license are delaying the decision. Johan Cruyff is emerging as a viable alternative, though with limitations. Montjuïc is ruled out due to scheduled events, and Montilivi doesn't convince.