Barça Chooses Montjuïc for Girona Clash as Camp Nou Renovation Looms

Venue decision and ongoing renovations

A Spanish sports daily reported on Tuesday that Barcelona plans to host the upcoming La Liga clash with Girona at Montjuïc Stadium after the international window.

Barça is preparing to face Girona in the league after the international break, in the ninth round.

According to Sport, Barcelona has not yet received clearance to play at Camp Nou because renovation work on the main stadium continues.

Barca has been using Montjuïc and Johan Cruyff as home venues since the season began.

Barcelona will also play the Champions League match against Olympiakos at Montjuïc, a fixture that precedes the Clasico against Real Madrid.

Barcelona has not hosted a game at Camp Nou for more than two seasons due to the extensive rebuilding works.

They recently suffered a heavy 4-1 defeat to Sevilla just before the international break.

Barça currently sits second in La Liga, two points behind leaders Real Madrid.

The final capacity of Camp Nou is expected to reach 105,000 spectators.

The opening of the renovated Camp Nou was scheduled for November 2024, but works have been delayed several times.

The city fire department noted ongoing evacuation route issues and other safety concerns.

The club, guided by German coach Hans Flick, has staged away matches in the early weeks of the season to allow stadium preparations.

Barça later hosted Valencia and Getafe at Johan Cruyff, a venue with a total capacity of around 6,000, adjacent to the training ground.

The rebuild is estimated to cost about €1.5 billion (roughly $1.75 billion).

History of Camp Nou

Camp Nou is widely regarded as one of the world’s most iconic sports venues, emblematic of both Barcelona and the Catalan identity.

The stadium officially opened on 24 September 1957 with a friendly between Barcelona and Legia Warsaw, drawing a huge crowd and kicking off a storied era for the club.

The idea of building Camp Nou emerged in the 1950s as the old stadium could no longer accommodate growing crowds.

The project was designed to be a monumental venue befitting a club expanding both commercially and in fanbase, and construction lasted about three years with a substantial cost for the time.

Since its opening, Camp Nou has hosted numerous major events, notably the 1999 UEFA Champions League final between Manchester United and Bayern Munich, remembered for the dramatic late comeback by United.

It also hosted matches during the 1982 World Cup and football during the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona.

Over the decades, Camp Nou has been the stage for legends like Johan Cruyff, Diego Maradona, Ronaldinho, Lionel Messi, Xavi, Iniesta, Puyol, and Dani Alves, particularly during the Guardiola era that yielded historic success in 2009.

The stadium’s capacity has fluctuated, peaking above 120,000 at times before safety considerations trimmed it to around 99,000, yet it remains one of Europe’s most intimate and vibrant football arenas for fans and players alike.

Beyond sport, Camp Nou embodies Catalan identity, especially during moments of political and cultural significance for the region, with the southern stand known for its passionate atmosphere.

Today, the ongoing modernization aims to transform Camp Nou into a contemporary architectural gem, increasing seating and upgrading facilities to deliver an exceptional experience for fans.

Punchlines

Punchline 1: If renovation timelines were matches, Camp Nou would still be in extra time and somehow still winning the clock.

Punchline 2: Barca’s plan is so meticulous that even the scaffolding has a game plan and a standing ovation.