La Liga champions Barcelona are set to cancel their planned return to the Spotify Camp Nou for their Joan Gamper Trophy clash against Como next month. The Blaugrana have not played in the iconic stadium since March 2023, and instead played at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys as extensive renovation work was done at their home ground.
Barca set for more stadium delaysBehind on construction Yet to obtain occupancy licenseFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Barcelona announced last month their intention to return to the Spotify Camp Nou for the Joan Gamper Trophy on August 10, but now reports that the plan will have to be cancelled. Due to more delays in renovation work, the City Council is unlikely to grant the first occupancy license, which will prevent the club from opening the doors of the stadium for an official match.
AdvertisementAFPTHE BIGGER PICTURE
The report adds that the City Council's Urban Planning Department has already made it clear that the works on the first and second stands need to be fully completed before approval can be obtained to welcome the public to the stadium.
DID YOU KNOW?
Barcelona are now instead targeting September 14 for the grand reopening, when they are due to play Valencia in La Liga. There are no guarantees that will be possible either, though, with the Blaugrana's return to Champions League games under the lights of Camp Nou also likely to be delayed.
Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR BARCELONA?
Hansi Flick's side are scheduled to travel to Japan and South Korea for pre-season, where they will face local teams in friendly matches. In the Joan Gamper Trophy next month, they are set to face Como before opening their new La Liga campaign against Mallorca on August 16.
