Barcelona request Montjuic extension for El Clasico amid Camp Nou delays

Barcelona seek to extend their stay at Montjuic until May as Camp Nou renovations face further delays, affecting their El Clasico plans.

FC Barcelona players celebrate during the UEFA Champions League match at Lluis Companys Stadium in Barcelona, Spain, on January 29, 2025. Photo by Joan Valls/Getty Images

By Randy Ahmad and Widya Lestari

Barcelona have formally requested an extension to continue playing at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys until May, ensuring they can host El Clasico against Real Madrid at Montjuic. The club remains unable to return to Camp Nou, where renovations have been delayed, extending their temporary stay at the city-owned venue.

While concerns had emerged over a potential scheduling conflict with a Rolling Stones concert on the weekend of May 10-11, the proposed event at Montjuic has not been confirmed. As a result, Barcelona now believe the venue will remain available, prompting them to seek official approval to continue using it beyond their initial deadline.

Camp Nou renovations face further delays

Barcelona have been playing home matches at Montjuic since the start of the 2023-24 season due to extensive renovations at Camp Nou. The club aims to expand the stadium’s capacity to 105,000, making it the largest in European football. Construction began in June 2023, with initial plans to reopen Camp Nou before the end of 2024.

However, the timeline has faced multiple setbacks. Barcelona president Joan Laporta initially stated that the club hoped to return to a partially operational Camp Nou by November 29, 2024, marking the club’s 125th anniversary. In October, this target was revised, with the club announcing a return in the "second half" of the season, only for the date to be pushed back further to at least February. Then, in January, Barcelona confirmed that the stadium would not be available until May at the earliest.

The ongoing delays have prompted Barcelona to extend their agreement with Montjuic, with their latest request covering matches until May 20—three days after their scheduled final home game of the La Liga season against Villarreal.

Rolling Stones concert no longer a scheduling threat

One of the major concerns regarding Barcelona's ability to host El Clasico at Montjuic was a potential scheduling clash with a Rolling Stones concert. The iconic rock band had been linked with a possible performance at the venue on the same weekend as the highly anticipated La Liga match against Real Madrid. If confirmed, the concert could have forced Barcelona to seek an alternative venue for the showdown.

However, since the concert date has not been officially scheduled, Barcelona now believe Montjuic will remain available for El Clasico. With this in mind, the club has moved forward with its request to extend its stay at the temporary venue, avoiding the logistical nightmare of relocating the match.

Financial impact of Montjuic stay

Barcelona's prolonged absence from Camp Nou continues to carry significant financial consequences. The club has already projected a loss of approximately €90 million (£75m; $100m) for the 2023-24 season due to reduced matchday revenue and additional expenses incurred in preparing Montjuic for use.

Despite the financial strain, Barcelona have little choice but to remain at their temporary home until Camp Nou is ready. The club and its construction partner, Limak, have set a target completion date of June 2026 for the full renovation. However, Barcelona intend to resume playing at the stadium before that deadline, even if construction work continues.

Barcelona’s roadmap for Camp Nou return

Although Barcelona had initially aimed for a phased return to Camp Nou in late 2024, the latest delays mean that fans will have to wait even longer before seeing their team back at their historic home. The club is prioritizing safety and structural completion before reopening, but every postponement adds to the financial burden.

If Barcelona secure their requested extension at Montjuic, they will be able to host all remaining fixtures this season, including El Clasico, at the venue. The club will then reassess the possibility of moving back to Camp Nou later in 2024, with the hope of hosting matches at a reduced capacity before the full renovation is completed in 2026.

What’s next for Barcelona?

Barcelona’s request now awaits approval from the city council, which operates Montjuic. Given the uncertainty surrounding Camp Nou’s availability, the club hopes for a swift resolution to ensure stability in their match schedule.

As the club navigates these logistical challenges, fans will continue to support the team at Montjuic, hoping that the long-awaited return to Camp Nou will finally materialize without further setbacks.