UEFA lands in Barcelona: inspection of the Spotify Camp Nou

FC Barcelona continues to work together with the relevant organizations for the official reopening of the Spotify Camp Nou as soon as possible. That is why the club received a visit from UEFA officials this Thursday (August 21) to assess the progress of the works at the Azulgrana stadium.

It is worth remembering that the highest body in European football maintains a rigorous protocol of requirements to authorize stadiums in competitions such as the Champions League, requirements that must be met regardless of whether Barça obtains the First Occupation License for the renovated stadium, according to recent information. 

Thus, the club, aware of the tight deadlines, has asked UEFA to play its first ‘league phase’ match as a visitor —on the 16th, 17th or 18th of September— with the aim of gaining two additional weeks of preparation. 

Thus, Barça hopes to have everything in order to host its continental premiere at home on September 30 or October 1, the date on which the colossus of Les Corts could once again vibrate with the Champions League.

Barça, awaiting UEFA's response

In this context, although the Catalan team, in short, asked UEFA for flexibility to be able to play in their stadium in the Champions League, the entity has not yet responded to the request. In addition to the fact that it must be considered that this type of facility is not granted by the entity.

Likewise, it would depend on the draw that will be held next Thursday, August 28 in Monte Carlo, where the competition calendar will be decided, which will be announced two days later, that is, on the 30th of this month.

It should be noted that UEFA requires that the four 'league phase' matches as a local team must be played in the same stadium until the end of January. Therefore, Barça has to inform the organization next week of the stadium in which it will play its commitments.

Barcelona secured the Montjuïc Olympic Stadium

In this order of ideas, in case Barcelona cannot play their matches at Spotify Camp Nou, they would have already secured the Montjuic Olympic Stadium until the end of February, which would allow them to play the different competitions in which the club will participate in this new campaign.

Apparently, the option of playing in two stadiums, for now, would be being ruled out by the Blaugrana board. Although we will have to wait to know if the team will be able to return to the Camp Nou or not.

It must be taken into account that the reopening of the stadium will be staggered, so, if the Spotify Camp Nou reopens its doors under phase 1A of the project, the capacity would be limited to about 27,000 spectators, distributed between the Tribune and a part of the Gol Sud. 

However, UEFA establishes as an essential requirement that the Lateral be enabled for the public, a condition linked to television retransmission criteria. This area would be operational in phase 1B, at which time the stadium would reach a capacity of up to 45,000 available locations.