Why aren’t Barcelona playing at Camp Nou in 2023/24?

A monument to the beautiful game, Camp Nou is an amphitheatre befitting of the magic that unfolds on the pitch which it holds.

Since its construction in 1957, Barcelona’s home ground has emerged as one the world’s most iconic. Boasting a capacity just shy of 100,000, it’s one of Europe’s grandest and has been graced by the likes of Diego Maradona, Johan Cruyff and Lionel Messi.

Camp Nou had long been synonymous with Barcelona’s on-pitch ethos which helped the club grow into a supreme force. However, the club’s demise before its recent upsurge also fell in line with complaints regarding their stadium’s functionality. Despite its vast size, Barca’s stadium had long needed a refresh and plans have been in place since the start of the 21st century to remodel and renovate the grand structure.

A protracted process, though, means the renovation didn’t start until June 2023, leaving Xavi’s La Liga champions homeless for the 2023/24 campaign.

The shutters came down on Camp Nou, or Spotify Camp Nou as it is formally known, at the end of the 2022/23 season after the City Council of Barcelona granted a licence for the stadium’s renovation in April 2022.

Years of decay had rendered the stadium deceitful. While seemingly a stylish and massive structure from the outside, the inside of Camp Nou was a manifestation of degradation. Real Madrid‘s now-renovated Santiago Bernabeu hastened the club’s desire to refresh their own great theatre.

88,000 fans temporarily bade farewell to the stadium at the end of last season during a ceremony which celebrated some of the best moments to occur within its stands. As a result of the demolition and renovation, Barcelona have been forced to move away from Camp Nou for the 2023/24 campaign.

Camp Nou’s reconstruction is part of a €1.45bn project called Espai Barca which is set to also bring profitable commercial centres to the area as well as a new basketball arena.

While Camp Nou undergoes its much-needed remodelling, Barcelona will play their home games at the Olympic Stadium in the Montjuic area of the city.

Espanyol hosted their home games at the Olympic Stadium for 12 years between 1997 and 2009, and while it’s undoubtedly a viable option for Barca, the ground does boast some logistical issues. Of course, there are financial concerns, too, with the club set to lose €90m in annual revenue, but president Joan Laporta is convinced Barca will boast the “best stadium in the world” once Camp Nou’s renovation is complete.

The Olympic Stadium can hold 50,000 people, just over half of Camp Nou’s capacity, and is said to be difficult to reach by public transport. The running track which circles the pitch also doesn’t aid any atmospheric concerns.

Barcelona are hopeful they’ll be able to return to Camp Nou in November 2024, although work is expected to continue on the stadium until 2026.

Upon its completion, Camp Nou should boast an increased capacity of 105,000, but only 70,000 when it reopens next year.

READ THE LATEST BARCELONA NEWS, TRANSFER RUMOURS & GOSSIP

Read More: World News | Entertainment News | Celeb News
90Mins