Barcelona return to revamped £1.25bn Spotify Camp Nou delayed by UEFA rule

Barcelona have confirmed that the club will continue to play matches outside Spotify Camp Nou until the new year, citing a UEFA rule as the main reason.

After winning the LaLiga title in June 2023, the Catalan giants began work on their world-famous stadium as part of a £1.25 billion renovation project to increase capacity to 105,000.

Barcelona played their matches during the renovation period at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, Barcelona's Olympic Stadium, with a capacity of 54,367 people.

The club initially hoped to return to Camp Nou for the club's 125th anniversary on November 29, but last month admitted the move-in date will be postponed.

In an update to supporters, Barcelona have confirmed that they will continue to play matches at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys into the new year.

The club claimed that a UEFA rule had been a key factor, with European football's governing body preventing teams from moving stadiums during the early stages of the Champions League.

The first phase of the expanded Champions League runs until the end of January, with Barcelona hosting Atalanta on January 29.

Barcelona highlighted the cost of maintaining two venues at the same time as their reason for delaying their domestic return to the Camp Nou.

'Due to UEFA regulations preventing a change of stadium in the early stages of the Champions League and the logistical difficulties and costs of keeping two large-capacity venues operational at the same time, the Club has decided to continue playing its home matches at the Estadi Olímpic to play. Lluís Companys until the end of the early stages of the Champions League,” a statement said.

'That is why the matches against Valencia and Alavés in weeks 21 and 22 of La Liga, as well as the match in week eight of the Champions League against Atalanta, will be played at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys.'

Barcelona's home match against Valencia is scheduled for January 26, while the club hosts Alaves on February 2.

La Liga leaders are yet to confirm an official date for their return to Camp Nou.

However, the announcement raises the possibility that Barcelona's first home match at Camp Nou could be against Rayo Vallecano, scheduled for the weekend of February 16.

Another option would be a Champions League play-off match to progress to the last 16 of the competition, should Barcelona finish between ninth and 24th in the league stage.

The Catalan giants confirmed that a play-off match would be included in fans' season tickets to Camp Nou – which have currently been postponed until their return to the stadium.

Barcelona are currently on course to avoid a play-off, with Hansi Flick's side currently in sixth place, which would earn an automatic spot in the last sixteen.

The ticket prices have been adjusted by the club for the remaining matches at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys.