Barça: the new Camp Nou takes shape

Spotify Camp Nou continues its transformation with 1,500 workers mobilised, while the project's overall cost continues to rise.

Work on Spotify Camp Nou is continuing to advance despite a now slower pace. According to Mundo Deportivo, around 1,500 workers remain mobilised at the site to continue renovating the home of FC Barcelona. One of the main areas of progress concerns the roof: only one more element is reportedly needed to complete the compression ring designed to support the future covering.

Camp Nou aims for a capacity of 104,600 in 2028

The third tier is also beginning to receive its first seats, with a design intended to display Barça's crest in the stands. The ultimate goal remains a capacity of 104,600 in 2028, before the stadium notably hosts the Champions League final in 2029.

At present, the stadium is still operating at a reduced capacity. Last March, FC Barcelona obtained authorisation to operate phase 1C, raising the available capacity to 62,652 spectators. The North Goal, along with several VIP areas, was thereby opened, although a significant part of the stadium remains under construction during La Liga matches.

The VIP areas are taking shape

The hospitality side of the project is also moving forward. Four rows of VIP seats are due to be operational from Sunday for the women's Clásico, while the opening of the double ring of boxes along the sides is scheduled for March 2027. These areas are at the heart of the stadium's new business model, with the club relying heavily on hospitality to increase its revenue once the work is complete.

A project that could approach €1.8 billion

The cost of the work remains one of the most sensitive issues. According to Business Today, the overall budget for Espai Barça is now estimated at around €1.8 billion, compared with initial financing set at approximately €1.5 billion. This amount covers the entire Espai Barça project, of which the renovation of Camp Nou is the centrepiece, rather than the stadium alone.

Barça also approved €510 million in additional financing in September, including €300 million allocated directly to completing Spotify Camp Nou. The schedule still calls for a major interruption to matches at the stadium in 2027 to allow the roof to be installed permanently. The club has already confirmed a temporary return to Montjuïc between June 2027 and January 2028 before the final phase of the work.

Read also: FC Barcelona: Joan Laporta takes aim at Real Madrid

Mahdi Zakaria LAZRI |

Editor

Football web writer creating digital sports content with a focus on news, analysis and stories that reflect passion, accuracy and objectivity.

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