Barcelona are embarking on a massive £1.3 billion renovation project for their iconic Nou Camp stadium. This means they will have to find an alternative venue to play their home matches for approximately 18 months, marking the first time since 1957 that they won't be playing at the Nou Camp.
The renovations aim to elevate the stadium's profile even further, solidifying its status as the largest venue in Europe. Despite already having the largest stadium in Europe, with a current capacity of approximately 99,000, Barcelona is confident that the revamped venue will become the best stadium in the world.
The club is investing a reported £1.25 billion into the renovation project. The new-look Nou Camp will feature a reinforced exterior and roof panels covering the majority of seating.
Similar to Bayern Munich's Allianz Arena, an opening above the pitch will provide protection from the elements while allowing some exposure to the sunny climate.
During this transitional period, Barcelona will play all of next season (and likely part of the 2024/25 season) at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys. Although the nearby stadium still holds the status of the sixth-largest in Spain with a capacity of 55,926 seats, it is less than half the size of the Nou Camp.
Manager Xavi has called upon the supporters to show strong support during this challenging period for the league titleholders. The club estimates that the transition will cost them around £77 million per year, mainly due to the decrease in matchday revenue caused by the significantly smaller capacity.
Two new stands are set to be constructed at both ends of the field between September 2023 and May 2024, followed by the extension of the concourse around the stadium.
Barcelona initially approved plans to renovate the Nou Camp back in 2014, but the project has been significantly delayed due to various factors including the Covid-19 pandemic, changes in the boardroom, and the club's financial challenges over the past decade.
