Barcelona take another step towards a return to Spotify Camp Nou | OneFootball

FC Barcelona continue to move forward with plans to return to the Spotify Camp Nou. Club president Joan Laporta, speaking last Wednesday before the Senate went so far as to give dates.

Laporta confirmed that on 10 August, the stadium would host the Joan Gamper Trophy, with Hansi Flick’s side set to face Como, managed by Cesc Fabregas. The first official match, Laporta stated, is planned for September.

Process underway for Camp Nou return

To host the Gamper at the Spotify Camp Nou in August, the club requires several permits and has already begun the process.

On Wednesday of this week, Barcelona submitted the first two applications to the City Council, according to Catalunya Radio (via SPORT).

The council now has two weeks to review the documentation and issue the necessary construction and activity permits.

The next stage involves the District of Les Corts, which will be responsible for granting Barcelona the occupancy permit – required for the opening of any new building or renovation. This step is expected to be completed in two to three weeks.

Return to Spotify Camp Nou on the horizon. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Two additional permits are still pending: one for the installation of an emergency evacuation walkway in the Maternitat area, and another from the Central Operational Unit (UCO) of the Mossos d’Esquadra.

Barcelona acknowledge that the timeline is tight but remain confident they will meet all deadlines. However, it is increasingly likely that the planned full-capacity stress test – expected to involve around 20,000 people – will not take place.

A smaller test may be conducted instead. Within the club, the Gamper Trophy match is now being viewed as the real-life test ahead of the stadium’s official return. The match against Como could be played in front of 35,000 spectators.

If everything proceeds without delays, Barcelona will return to the Spotify Camp Nou after the first international break of the new season. The Catalans have already asked La Liga to play their first three scheduled matches in August away from home.

The return in September will coincide with the start of the Champions League, and matches in the group stage must be played at the same stadium, as required by UEFA.