FC Barcelona still does not have a guaranteed immediate return to the Spotify Camp Nou, and for that reason, the club has taken precautions. Barça signed an agreement with Barcelona de Serveis Municipals (BSM), a body under the City Council, to secure the use of the Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium until February 2026, in case it does not receive authorization to reopen its renovated home ground.

This move has fueled speculation in the Catalan press and among Barça fans, as the club seeks to ensure that its most important matches of the season are played in a fixed venue — especially in the Champions League, where UEFA requires all games within the same phase to be hosted in the same stadium.

Montjuïc, Barcelona’s “Plan B”

The Blaugrana have thus secured an alternative venue in case reopening permits for the Camp Nou are delayed. The deal with the City Council would cover not only the group stage of the Champions League but also a potential knockout round, should Barça qualify.

However, this “Plan B” also comes with complications. The first home game Barça hopes to play in its renovated stadium is scheduled for September 13 or 14 against Valencia, in Matchday 4 of LaLiga EA Sports. But if the Camp Nou is not cleared in time, the Olympic Stadium wouldn’t be an immediate option either: the venue is set to host a Post Malone concert on September 12, leaving the pitch unfit for an official match.

Anticipation for the Spotify Camp Nou Reopening

The club remains confident that deadlines will be met. Obtaining the certificate of completion is the key step that will allow the City Council to grant the occupancy license. With that, the new Camp Nou could open with an initial capacity of 27,000 spectators, distributed between the south goal and the main stand.

Despite the optimism, Barça’s decision to secure Montjuïc reflects a dose of realism amid the usual delays of such large-scale projects. For the fans, the big question is whether the long-awaited return to their “temple” will happen on schedule — or whether the season will start with the team once again playing on the Olympic hill.

The outcome will be revealed in the coming weeks, but one thing is clear: the club is unwilling to take risks in a season that could be decisive for both its sporting ambitions and financial stability.