La Liga: Barca To Play Home Opener At Estadi Johan Cruyff Amid Camp Nou Delay

Last Updated:September 10, 2025, 10:14 IST

Barca were granted an exemption from the rules that require first-division sides to have a stadium of over 15,000 capacity, after Camp Nou renovation fell 9 months behind schedule.

Barcelona's head coach Hansi Flick speaks to Andreas Christensen during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Rayo Vallecano and FC Barcelona at the Vallecas stadium in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

La Liga champions Barcelona will play their first home game of the season against Valencia at the Estadi Johan Cruyff at their Sant Joan Despi training facility amid delays over the reopening of the fabled Camp Nou.

The league granted Barca an exemption from the rules that stipulate that a first-division side to have a stadium of at least 15,000 capacity after the renovation at the iconic stadium fell nine months behind schedule.

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“The Club is working intensively to obtain the necessary administrative permits for the opening of the Spotify Camp Nou stadium in the near future. Therefore, the match will ultimately be played at the Estadi Johan Cruyff," the club said in a statement.

“FC Barcelona thanks its members and fans for their understanding and support during the complex yet exciting process of returning to the new Spotify Camp Nou. The Club will soon provide information on all details regarding match organization and ticketing."

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League technicians have spent the past week inspecting the facilities at Johan Cruyff Stadium and demanding essential adjustments, including the installation of VAR cameras. Barca had desperately hoped to return to Camp Nou with a reduced capacity of 27,000 spectators but failed to obtain the necessary permits from Barcelona City Council.

Their alternative, Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium, where they have been staging their games for the past couple of seasons with the lowest attendance in their recent history, was ruled out after a Post Malone concert left the pitch in poor condition.

Barca have two wins in their three games thus far in the nascent camapign with the other ending in a draw. The Blaugrana have 7 points to under their belt in the ongoign season.

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