Barcelona begin countdown for Spotify Camp Nou return as they await license for reopening | Barca Universal

"According to MARCA, optimism runs high at FC Barcelona as they await a crucial call from the City Council regarding the approval of the occupancy license for Phase 1B, which would allow the Spotify Camp Nou to host up to 45,000 spectators. This authorisation would mark the long-awaited return home for Hansi Flick's side. Within the club, there is confidence that the response will be positive, potentially enabling Barça to play their match against Athletic Club on 22 November at their renovated stadium."

"As per the report, the City Council is set to issue its ruling, which will assess the progress of the works in terms of safety and accessibility, between today and Saturday. The current license, corresponding to Phase 1A, only permits a maximum of 23,000 attendees, while the new license would expand capacity to nearly double that. In anticipation, the club's leadership has metaphorically started the countdown clock, waiting for the green light from municipal technicians. Despite the overall optimism stemming from recent discussions, caution remains."

"Barça's hopes of returning to Camp Nou have been delayed several times before, and everyone, from directors to staff, prefers to stay calm until the decision is confirmed. Barcelona president Joan Laporta's board has long established that the team's return would only occur once the 45,000-seat threshold was authorised. If the approval comes through this week, the first official match back at the Spotify Camp Nou would indeed be the fixture against Athletic Club after the international break."

Optimism runs high at FC Barcelona as the club awaits a City Council ruling on the Phase 1B occupancy license that would allow the Spotify Camp Nou to host 45,000 spectators. The current Phase 1A license limits attendance to 23,000; approval would nearly double capacity and allow Hansi Flick's side to return. The City Council will assess safety and accessibility progress and is expected to rule between today and Saturday. Club leadership is cautiously optimistic, has begun preparations and urges calm because previous return plans were delayed. If authorised, the first official match back would be against Athletic Club on 22 November.

Read at Barca Universal