Barça's return to Spotify Camp Nou could be delayed longer than expected. This was acknowledged by the deputy mayor of security of Barcelona, Albert Batlle, in a recent interview where he asserted that it is very likely that the Azulgrana team's stay in Montjuïc will be extended during part of the 2025/26 season.
In statements to the Catalan media RAC1, Batlle admitted that Montjuïc, which has been the home of the culé team for two seasons, "will probably have to be used for a few more months". In this sense, he stressed that it is of "elementary prudence" that the entity has a contingency plan B, as it already did by securing an agreement with the municipal company BSM to maintain the Olympic Stadium at least until February.
FC Barcelona needs an alternative plan before returning to Camp Nou
In the same vein, Batlle urged the Azulgrana leaders to, given the deadlines, start considering other options to avoid rushing the return to Spotify Camp Nou. "It's good and prudent to think about alternatives, because there's no need to rush; fortunately in Barcelona we have the Olympic Stadium as a replacement," he pointed out.
In turn, he warned that the club has not yet submitted the Final Construction Certificate (CFO), an essential requirement to apply for the partial first occupancy license. "As of today, it has not presented the necessary conditions to request the opening license," he stressed.
Likewise, the mayor insisted on avoiding pressure on deadlines and prioritizing that the reopening be done "with all the safety in the world".
Memories of 1988: what Barça doesn't want to repeat
Battle recalled the inauguration of the Olympic Stadium in 1988, marred by leaks and floods four years before the 1992 Olympic Games. "It cannot happen again; then technical and political responsibilities were purged," he said, adding that "Barça knows what it must do".
He also explained that the construction managers must certify the end of the works and the city council's inspection teams issue their opinions. "The ball is in Barça's court, which must meet the conditions," he concluded.
Will Camp Nou not be ready by the scheduled date?
Has the Catalan team resigned itself to not being able to return to Camp Nou on the stipulated date? For now, nothing is clear, but the truth is that the Azulgrana team is preparing for a possible delay, ensuring the use of Montjuïc as an alternative to host official commitments.
Added to this, a detail that generated debate among the culé fans is that, on the club's official website, the match against Valencia CF for matchday four of LaLiga EA Sports 2025/26 no longer appears with a confirmed venue, when it previously appeared at Spotify Camp Nou. Is this a sign that the return will not be immediate? Time will tell.