UEFA Grants Barcelona Scheduling Flexibility: European Campaign to Begin Away From Home
In a significant development for FC Barcelona, UEFA has informally approved the club’s request to commence its UEFA Champions League group stage matches with away fixtures. This decision provides the Catalan giants with crucial additional time as they work towards the reopening of their iconic Spotify Camp Nou stadium, currently undergoing major redevelopment.
A Strategic Reprieve
Following an inspection of the stadium’s renovation progress, European football’s governing body has shown flexibility regarding Barcelona’s unique circumstances. This scheduling concession means Barcelona is unlikely to play a Champions League match until September 30 or October 1, granting the club a valuable extension.
UEFA regulations typically require clubs to host all group stage matches at a single, designated venue. Consequently, Barcelona faces a binary choice: host its four home games either at the partially completed Camp Nou or at the city’s Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys in Montjuïc. Every additional day to secure the necessary initial usage permits for their home ground is therefore of paramount importance. The club has a firm deadline of August 28 to formally notify UEFA of its chosen venue for European home matches.
Aligning Domestic and European Schedules
This UEFA arrangement mirrors the schedule Barcelona will face in Spain’s LaLiga, where the team is also set to play its first three matches of the season away from home. The club’s first potential home game is currently slated for the weekend of September 14, though a final decision on whether it will be held at the Camp Nou remains pending. Albert Batlle, Deputy Mayor of Barcelona, recently indicated that it is highly probable the team will continue to host matches at the Olympic Stadium for several more months.
This coordinated approach from both domestic and European authorities highlights a collaborative effort to accommodate the logistical challenges presented by one of the largest stadium reconstruction projects in modern football.
