FC Barcelona's return to Spotify Camp Nou has been one of the most anticipated news for fans. After several months of uncertainty, the club has finally set the date for the team's return to its historic stadium. In this article, we review the updates on the return, the factors influencing the delay, and the alternatives Barça is considering for the classic against Real Madrid.
Definitive date for the return
After several erroneous announcements and missed deadlines, Joan Laporta has confirmed that the return to Camp Nou will be in May. Despite rumors about possible dates in December, January, or February, the club has put an end to the speculations and assures it will be no later than May.
This month will be key, with the necessary licenses for the stadium to host 60,000 people and Barça to return home.
The uncertainty of the Classic
However, not everything is as clear as it seems. Although the stadium will be ready in May, the classic against Real Madrid on May 11 might not be played at Camp Nou. The main reason is that the works might not be completed in time.
Additionally, some sectors within the club prefer to avoid opening the stadium with a defeat against their eternal rival. It has been suggested that it would be better to ensure the team is in a favorable position before opening Camp Nou's doors.
Logistical problems: the Rolling Stones and Montjuïc
Another factor complicating the celebration of the classic at Camp Nou is the availability of the Estadi Olímpic. During May, Barcelona will host several Rolling Stones concerts, making the stadium unavailable for football.
The band, which starts its European tour in the city, has occupied the date of the classic, forcing Barça to seek alternatives.
Alternatives to Camp Nou
If the return to Camp Nou can't be made in time, Barça will have to resort to another stadium in Catalonia. Although there are several options, club sources assure that it will not be played outside the Catalan community. Among the alternatives are Cornellà-El Prat, although the relationship with Espanyol makes it unlikely, and the Montilivi stadium in Girona.
However, the option that most attracts Laporta is Johan Cruyff, which, although it has a reduced capacity, could be expanded with additional stands. Despite this, the capacity limitations and low revenue would be a significant obstacle.