Barcelona Confirms Camp Nou Return on August 10 with Joan Gamper Trophy Match
BARCELONA — FC Barcelona will return to Camp Nou on August 10 for the first time in two years, the club confirmed Wednesday. The fixture will mark the partial reopening of the iconic stadium, which has been under renovation since 2023.
The pre-season Joan Gamper Trophy match will serve as a symbolic homecoming as construction on the venue continues. According to the club’s statement, work remains ongoing on several sections of the stadium, including the new third tier, dual VIP ring, roofing, internal structures, and the surrounding area.
Barcelona has not officially announced how many fans will be allowed inside the stadium. However, local reports indicate that the current seating capacity stands at approximately 35,000.
In a statement, the club said, “Barcelona takes a symbolic and emotional step into the future, reclaiming its home in a new era that will culminate with the complete inauguration of the new stadium.”
The match will be the first at Camp Nou since renovations began under the club’s “Espai Barça” project, which aims to modernize the facility and increase capacity to 105,000 by the summer of 2026.
To allow additional construction time, Barcelona has requested that its first three La Liga matches of the 2025/26 season be played away from home. This move provides contractors with nearly another month of uninterrupted work before the stadium is expected to host official league matches.
Since 2023, Barcelona has played home fixtures at the Montjuïc Olympic Stadium, a temporary venue with lower capacity and limited accessibility.
Espai Barça has faced multiple delays, including adjustments to construction schedules and rising costs. The club has not confirmed whether further changes will affect the projected completion date. However, progress on structural milestones such as seating expansions and installation of new technology has continued throughout 2024 and 2025.
The August 10 match will not only signal Barcelona’s return to its historic ground but also allow fans a preview of the redesigned arena. The full opening is scheduled for the 2026/27 season.
Camp Nou originally opened in 1957 and remains the largest stadium in Europe by seating capacity. Once completed, the revamped venue will reclaim that title with improved spectator facilities, hospitality spaces, and integrated infrastructure.
The opponent for the Joan Gamper Trophy match will be announced in the coming weeks.
