After a long exile far from its temples, FC Barcelona returns this Saturday to Camp Nou, the stadium where the club’s history has been written since 1957. This return will be accompanied by the granting of a Phase 1B occupancy license, allowing the stadium to partially reopen and welcome over 45,000 fans, an important milestone for Espai Barça.
His return to Japan coincides with the day his fans have been waiting for. Spotify The Camp Nou will once again host an official match, with Barça celebrating their reunion with the stadium as they take on Athletic Club.
The biggest building project in the club’s history
The current renovation is part of Espai Barça, which aims to transform the stadium into the largest and most innovative sports and entertainment venue in the heart of a metropolis.
The authorized partial reopening will allow the public to see some of the most visible progress on the project. The side grandstands feature new, fully functional areas with enlarged entrances, refurbished staircases and updated evacuation systems to meet new safety standards.
Internal infrastructure has also been enhanced, from communications networks to the stadium’s electrical and control systems, with connectivity designed to support matches with tens of thousands of devices connected simultaneously.
There has also been a qualitative leap forward in the technical field. The player tunnel and changing rooms have been redesigned to improve internal flow and further professionalize the player experience. In addition, a new efficient sports lighting system was installed to suit current and future broadcast requirements, and some of the stadium’s surrounding structures were renovated to allow construction to continue as the stadium gradually welcomes new spectators.
And what will happen next?
What your visitors are about to see is just the beginning. Over the coming months, the upper tier will be expanded in stages, with the aim of making the new Spotify Camp Nou the largest stadium in Europe, with an eventual capacity of more than 105,000 spectators.
Plans call for the complete construction of a new third tier, one of the most iconic architectural parts of the final design, and the installation of a 360-degree roof that will integrate photovoltaic panels, energy collection systems and sustainable management technology.
We also continue to see progress in innovation rings that will shape future fan experiences. These include giant screens, an expanded gastronomic area, interactive spaces, new routes, a redesigned VIP area and a museum completely transformed and integrated into the stadium itself. All this forms part of a project that Nikken Sekkei, IDOM and b720 have been adjusting over the past few years to bring it to more efficient and modern standards that respect the original architecture.
The ultimate goal is to transform the stadium not only as a reference stadium, but also as the largest and most advanced sports and entertainment venue located in the heart of a metropolis, an architectural, technological and social landmark that will define the next era of FC Barcelona.
A return packed with symbolism
However, the technical aspects will take a backseat this Saturday. After almost three years at Montjuïc, Barça will return to its hometown and host a party worthy of its history. Fans will return to the place where the club’s best pages were written, and Camp Nou opens a new chapter full of excitement.
Admission to the stadium will open at 14:15, two hours before kick-off. From that moment on, fans can enjoy musical sessions by Mon DJ, who is responsible for creating the rhythmic atmosphere before the match.
About 15 minutes before kick-off, after a warm-up, the Figa Flowers duo electrify the crowd with their hits. Then, once the players take to the pitch, Col Hove del Orfeo Catalunya will perform a special version of “Canto del Barça” with fireworks synchronized to the music.
At half-time, The Tyets, one of the most popular groups on the Catalan scene, will return to provide musical entertainment for the first team. According to the club, these are just some of the surprises planned to make the day an unforgettable celebration.