Barcelona Losing Millions Due to Camp Nou Construction Delays
The Catalan club could have claimed over €200 million in penalties, but it has decided not to pursue a single euro from the construction company.
Camp Nou Reopening Delayed Once Again
FC Barcelona recently announced that it will not be able to host the Joan Gamper Trophy at the Spotify Camp Nou on August 10 as originally planned. The reason: ongoing delays in the stadium's renovation have prevented the club from securing the necessary licenses from the city council. Although the return to the stadium was once projected for November 29, 2024, the timeline remains unclear.
The latest estimate now points to a possible return on September 14 for the LaLiga match against Valencia, but even that date is uncertain. The situation becomes more problematic with the start of the Champions League group stage, which requires all matches to be played at a single venue. The first European fixture is scheduled for September 16, putting Barcelona in a tight spot if the stadium remains unavailable.
Limak Avoids Penalties Despite Massive Delay
When club president Joan Laporta presented the agreement with construction company Limak in January 2023, he assured that the firm would be fined €1 million per day for any delays. Based on that clause, and using November 29, 2024, as the original handover date, Limak would now owe Barcelona more than €200 million.
However, that penalty will likely remain theoretical. The board has already indicated it will not seek compensation, citing unforeseen circumstances beyond Limak’s control as the cause of the delays. This stance has sparked internal criticism.
One of the most vocal critics has been former presidential candidate Víctor Font, who did not hold back: “It’s unbelievable that the greatest club in the world continues to embarrass itself with broken promises.” His words echo the frustration of fans who had long expected a timely return to the Camp Nou.
Meanwhile, Barcelona continues to pay the price for not having its iconic stadium available—not only in terms of logistics and atmosphere but also in lost revenue. Despite having a clause in place to protect the club financially, it appears the board has no intention of enforcing it.
