Barcelona: Why is first residence sport not at Nou Camp?

Marcus Rashford might play his first residence sport of the season for Barcelona in a stadium far smaller than the one he was anticipating.

Regardless of hopes that Barcelona would start the defence of their title on the newly renovated Nou Camp stadium, they may as a substitute play their first residence match on the a lot smaller 6,000-seater Johan Cruyff Stadium.

That’s as a result of the Nou Camp continues to be not prepared for followers, regardless of the membership saying they might be again enjoying video games there in November 2024, to coincide with the membership’s one hundred and twenty fifth anniversary.

The membership had been granted permission to play their first three fixtures away from residence to permit the completion of development work. However even with a bit further time due to the worldwide break that adopted, the membership have not but obtained paperwork that permit it to open.

The Olympic Stadium, used as their substitute residence floor for the previous two seasons, is the venue for a Put up Malone live performance two days earlier than the match – ruling it out of use for Sunday.

Barcelona final performed on the Nou Camp in Might 2023 – a stadium which might maintain as much as 100,000 individuals. Right here, we have a look at what renovations the membership is making, why it’s taking so lengthy and the way followers really feel about it.

The Nou Camp has served as Barcelona’s residence floor because it opened in 1957.

Renovation work started in June 2023, at a price of round 1.3bn euros, with the aim of modernising the stadium and increasing its capability to 105,000 – making it one of many largest grounds on this planet.

However the Nou Camp will not be able to host Sunday’s La Liga residence sport in opposition to Valencia (20:00 BST) – with the change to a a lot smaller venue solely introduced on Tuesday.

The membership stated in an announcement that it’s working to get a allow to open the stadium “within the coming weeks”.

That let, referred to as the Last Development Certificates, is granted by the town council.

Reviews in Spanish media recommend the stadium is prepared for use, pending the required clearance.

Within the meantime, utilizing the 6,000-capacity Johan Cruyff Stadium – versus a totally operational Nou Camp, and even the 50,000 capability Olympic Stadium – goes to value Barcelona a variety of matchday income.

“Logically it considerations us greater than it worries us,” stated a membership supply relating to the income loss.

“However we hope to greater than compensate for this inconvenience of diminished earnings within the coming weeks.”

The Johan Cruyff Stadium, residence venue for Barcelona’s girls’s and youth groups, is not formally large enough to host a La Liga sport. League guidelines say a floor should maintain at the very least 8,000 followers.

However an exception has been made on this case on “architectural” grounds.

Work has been finished to get the stadium prepared, together with organising digicam positions for the video assistant referee.

With so few areas out there, the membership arrange a poll for tickets – and solely those that had held full season tickets for each 2023-24 and 2024-25 might enter it.

‘That is 16,151 members,” in accordance with the membership.

Miquel Taberner, like a variety of Barcelona followers, was unimpressed.

“Most followers really feel upset, and naturally I am considered one of them,” he stated.

“Camp Nou is not only a stadium, it’s the coronary heart of the membership and our matchday expertise will not be the identical with out it. We perceive the work being finished is important, however the absence is strongly felt.

“Transparency and sensible timelines would assist ease that frustration, however sadly individuals on the membership do not feel the identical approach.”

Valencia – trying to enhance on final season’s Twelfth-place end – have contacted La Liga to query each the selection of venue and the lateness of the change.

“We have been involved concerning the uncertainty of not having a delegated venue in the identical week because the match,” the membership stated.

“We now have been informed from FC Barcelona that we might have 290 tickets for our followers so there’ll lastly be Valencia followers within the stands.”

Valencia striker Diego Lopez, talking on Thursday, acknowledged the state of affairs was removed from excellent.

“It is a state of affairs that I believe ought to have been resolved a very long time in the past, not just for the staff but additionally for the followers,” he stated. “I believe they deserve a solution to allow them to go and cheer on the staff.”

A Barcelona supply informed BBC Sport that the Nou Camp will probably be able to welcome followers for his or her league match on 28 September in opposition to Actual Sociedad.

Nevertheless, they might not verify whether or not Barcelona would play their subsequent residence match, on 21 September in opposition to Getafe, on the Nou Camp.

“We’ll attempt to pace it up if attainable however we can’t know till the center of subsequent week,” the supply stated.

Followers like Miquel are much less optimistic.

“Formally, the aim is 2026, however truthfully I do foresee an extended view. Giant initiatives typically face delays and that is OK. Our expectations are tempered,” he stated.

“The hope is that at any time when it opens, it’s delivered to the best customary and worthy of the membership’s identification.”

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