FC Barcelona does not rule out playing the 2025 Joan Gamper Trophy at the Johan Cruyff Stadium, as it did in 2021 due to health restrictions from the covid-19 pandemic. This year, the reason has to do with a new delay in the reopening of the Spotify Camp Nou.
Although the works in the Estadi are progressing well in recent weeks, obtaining the First Occupation license, essential to receive fans in the culé temple, may take longer than expected.
The club already received the 'Ok' from the Catalan City Council to modify the license for activities and works, but this is not enough to reopen the stadium with a partial capacity (30,000 fans).
Beyond this setback, a new delay in the return to Les Corts will not have an impact on the azulgrana market this summer. The club is waiting for the final report from its financial auditor, Crowe Spain, to receive the green light from LaLiga to return to the 1:1 rule, a key step to be able to sign and register reinforcements normally.
The Camp Nou conditions the return to 1:1, but not because of its reopening
This requirement depends on computing the income of 100 million euros derived from the sale of the exploitation rights of 475 VIP seats in the new Spotify Camp Nou. LaLiga approved the operation in January, but Crowe suspended its accounting in the 24/25 financial year until the person in charge of the construction of the stadium, Limak, certifies the operability of the seats sold.
The seats are located in the area called 'VIP Players Zone'. Beyond whether or not the Camp Nou has the operating licenses for its reopening, Crowe requires that this area be built in its entirety, as it constitutes a tangible asset that has been commercialized. Barça, in fact, has already received 58 of the 100 million derived from the operation.
In that sense, the VIP seats were installed and the area has been painted. The entire first tier is practically finished, while the work of planting the new lawn is being carried out. For the club, the absolute priority is to have the Cmap Nou ready by mid-September, when the official return for the League against Valencia takes place.
The Barça board, upset by the delays in Camp Nou
Once Crowe sends LaLiga its final report, LaLiga's 'Ok' to the entry of VIP seats is expected for early August. Beyond having the 1:1 before the start of the season, not being able to return to Les Corts on August 10 is a setback for the azulgrana board.
Joan Laporta himself led last month a campaign of intrigue announcing the return home. Although it is a friendly match with a partial capacity, the member is eagerly awaiting this match, with which the squad is officially presented for the next season.
That is why Barça is trying to do everything possible to be able to play the Gamper at Camp Nou, although now everything depends on the City Council and the deadlines that it usually takes to issue the required licenses to reopen a work of such magnitude.
The club plans a previous test on July 28 to evaluate the operational capacity of the Estadi with all the press and security personnel that will cover the Gamper. By then, the club must be clear whether or not the duel against Como should move to Johan Cruyff. In the last trophy played there, Barça thrashed Juventus (3-0).
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