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By ADAM POGRUND Published: 01: 56 AEST, 17 July 2025 | Updated: 02: 01 AEST, 17 July 2025 View comments Barcelona's exile from the Nou Camp is set to continue with their return date likely to be delayed again. The 99, 000-seater stadium has been closed since renovations began in 2023 and was supposed to be reopened last November, before being pushed back to next month. They have been forced to host home games at the Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium, where the women and youth teams play, while the £1. 3billion extensive works have taken place. Once refurbishments are completed, the Nou Camp will be the single largest sports venue in the entirety of Europe, with a capacity of 105, 000. The club announced that the Joan Gamper Trophy, an exhibition match against Como, would be the first game back, marking the end of the first phase of renovations. However, licensing problems are now preventing the Catalan giants from hosting the fixture. Barcelona's exile from the Nou Camp is set to continue with their return date likely delayed Lamine Yamal led Barcelona to the La Liga title last season, their first since their Nou Camp exile The club planned to return to the Nou Camp against Como next month but it appears unlikely They are still waiting to receive an occupancy permit from the city council, which they require to host the match. It appears unlikely that the match against Como will be played at the Camp Nou, club sources told Marca, although a decision will be finalised in the next few days. The council has previously stated that it cannot grant a licence until the stadium works are fully completed. Barcelona are now targeting September 14, when they host Valencia in the league, as a new date for reopening. But even once it reopens it will be at a lower capacity, expected to be between 50, 000 to 60, 000, until renovations are finished, which is likely to be at the start of the 2026/27 campaign. The completion of a new third tier, a roof installation, interior spaces and development of the stadium's surrounding areas still need to be completed. Last season Hansi Flick led the club to their first league title away from the Nou Camp.
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