Barcelona fans can finally breathe a sigh of relief, UEFA has officially approved the club’s return to the partially rebuilt Camp Nou for Champions League matches, ending a more than two-year exile marked by delays, complications, and construction chaos.
The green light came just days after Barcelona confirmed their long-awaited return to the stadium for La Liga matches. The Catalan giants will now host Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League on December 9, just 17 days after the stadium reopened for the match against Athletic Bilbao on November 22.
In an official statement, the club announced: “UEFA has accepted the request, considering that all requirements have been met.”
Barcelona’s return marks the end of a chaotic and embarrassing saga in which the club failed to meet multiple reopening targets due to licensing issues, construction delays, and safety concerns.
The situation became embarrassing earlier this season when Barça was forced to play two league matches at its 6,000-square-meter Johan Cruyff Stadium—usually used for youth team training and matches—after failing to secure the required permit for Camp Nou in time.
Since then, the Blaugrana have played their home matches at the 55,000-seat Olympic Stadium on Montjuïc Hill, a temporary solution that creates problems with the atmosphere and financial burden.
When Barcelona officially reopens Camp Nou later this month, it will operate at a temporary capacity of 45,401, significantly below the 105,000 planned once the full renovation, including the top tier, is complete.
A recent test, in which 23,000 fans attended an open training session, marked a significant step in the stadium’s safety approval process.
The delayed return has serious financial consequences. The club is spending a monumental €1.5 billion ($1.74 billion) on a modernization project and relies heavily on matchday revenue to stabilize its struggling finances.
Each postponement has meant millions of dollars in lost revenue money Barcelona desperately needs.
Nevertheless, thanks to UEFA’s commitment, Champions League nights at Camp Nou have officially returned and for Barcelona fans, this is the news they’ve been waiting for.
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