Barcelona’s Olympic Stadium to Remain Temporary Home as Nou Camp Return Delayed
Barcelona, Spain – Barcelona’s first-team men will not be returning to their iconic Nou Camp stadium in the immediate future, according to a senior city official. The team is set to continue playing its home matches at the city’s Olympic Stadium in Montjuïc for the coming months.
A Prudent Path Forward
The announcement was made by Albert Batlle, Barcelona’s Deputy Mayor for Security. In an interview with RAC1, Batlle stated, “We will probably have to use Montjuïc for a few more months.” He emphasized that “initial prudence” dictates the club must have a “Plan B” in place.
The city has proactively signed an agreement with the municipal company BSM to secure the use of the Olympic Stadium until at least February, when the initial stage of the UEFA Champions League concludes. Batlle highlighted the wisdom of this cautious approach, noting, “It is good and prudent to think about alternative options… we should not rush. Fortunately, in Barcelona, there is an alternative, which is the Olympic Stadium.”
Conditions for Return Remain Paramount
The delay is attributed to the club not yet meeting the necessary administrative conditions for a safe return. Batlle clarified that FC Barcelona has not presented the required “certificate of completion” for the ongoing renovation work. “To date,” he noted, “they have not provided the necessary conditions to apply for the initial reopening permit.”
Batlle called for patience, stressing that safety and meeting all regulatory standards must take precedence over adhering to a strict timeline. “We should not put pressure on the timing,” he asserted. “We must put the pressure on the conditions for reopening, which must be done with maximum safety.”
The deputy mayor concluded that the ball is now in the club’s court, indicating that a return to the Nou Camp is entirely dependent on Barcelona FC fulfilling all stipulated municipal requirements.
