The return to the Spotify Camp Nou came with excitement, noise, and a wave of questions about the stadium’s immediate future. And among all of them, one stands above the rest: when will Barça be able to expand its provisional capacity beyond the current 50,000 seats?
The answer now has a roadmap — but it’s not as soon as some supporters hoped

Phase 1C Pushed Back To Early 2026

The club’s vice president of institutional affairs, Elena Fort, confirmed that the long-awaited Phase 1C — the stage that will increase the stadium’s capacity to roughly 62,000 spectators — will not be completed in 2025.
Barcelona’s plan now points directly to the start of 2026, delaying expectations by several months.

The key element of this expansion is the future singing section, which will be one of the central pieces of Phase 1C. That area is still not operational, and its construction is progressing alongside internal regulatory adjustments that will guide how the section works and how the participatory process will unfold.

A New Stand For A New Generation

Fort stressed that this new stand is not just about adding more seats. The goal is to open the doors of the refurbished Camp Nou to a younger generation of fans who have spent years on the waiting list for a season ticket and have never had the chance to experience the stadium from the inside.

The board wants a matchday atmosphere “for the entire stadium,” ensuring that the singing section does not become tied to any single group or faction. For Barcelona, Phase 1C represents a turning point — a chance to modernize the stadium’s energy and truly bring it into the 21st century.

A Stadium In Transition… And A Pricing Debate

The board also addressed one of the most controversial issues of the week: the pricing for the much-anticipated return match against Athletic Club.
Fort acknowledged that this provisional phase forces the club to work with market-level prices that may generate “anger or surprise,” but asked for understanding while the club balances revenue and long-term sustainability.

She reminded that the stadium’s income is essential to finance its own reconstruction:

“The Camp Nou is the foundation for paying for the stadium. We’re seeking balance.”

Fort also made it clear that the 83,000 season-ticket holders from before the renovation will only return when the final 105,000-seat capacity is ready.

No Repeat Of The Eintracht Incident… As Long As There’s No Massive Resale

Looking ahead to the European match against Eintracht Frankfurt on December 9, Fort does not expect a repeat of the infamous invasion of German supporters seen two seasons ago — unless there is a widespread resale of tickets.