Barcelona negotiating with UEFA over stadium situation ahead of Camp Nou return | OneFootball

After making Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in Montjuic their temporary home since last year, FC Barcelona are planning on a return to the iconic Spotify Camp Nou by the end of 2024.

With the renovation works progressing, the expectation is that Barça can mark their 125th anniversary with a move back to their actual home, i.e., Camp Nou, in December 2024.

Barcelona in talks with UEFA

Now, SPORT reports that Barcelona are in talks with UEFA over changing their stadium midway through the first phase of the UEFA Champions League.

According to UEFA rules, teams must play all their home matches in the first phase in the same stadium.

“In the group stage, a club must, in principle, play all its matches in the competition in the same stadium. In addition, any change of stadium between the play-offs and the group stage must be agreed in advance with UEFA,” they clearly state.

With the new format set to be introduced this season, Barcelona will be playing eight games in the first stage of the competition, six of which will be completed before the end of the year.

Barcelona will play at Montjuic only until December. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

The remaining two would be played during the final two weeks of January 2025 (on 21-22 and 29).

Barça, who will start the season playing at Montjuic, plan to return to the Spotify Camp Nou in December or latest by the beginning of January. That is why they are negotiating with UEFA so that the last of their home games can be played at the renovated stadium.

Barça are optimistic in this respect, as they understand that it is an exceptional situation and UEFA will see things the same way.

The Blaugrana believe that it would not make much sense for them to have to return to Montjuïc to play just one game in the Champions League, once Hansi Flick’s team has returned to the Spotify Camp Nou.