FC Barcelona have officially received the green light from UEFA to host Champions League matches at their partially reconstructed Camp Nou, the club confirmed on Wednesday.
The approval comes just days after the Catalan giants announced their long-awaited comeback to La Liga action at the iconic stadium, ending more than two years of displacement caused by extensive renovation delays and administrative setbacks.
Barcelona will mark their Champions League return at the Camp Nou on December 9, when they host Eintracht Frankfurt. This comes shortly after the stadium’s re-opening match in domestic competition against Athletic Bilbao on November 22.
In their statement, the club said UEFA “accepted the request, considering that all the necessary requirements have been met.”
The return to Camp Nou brings closure to a chaotic period for Barcelona, marked by repeated postponements and construction complications. The club’s plans to reopen the stadium were derailed several times due to delays and difficulties in securing essential safety licences.
Earlier this season, Barcelona faced an embarrassing situation when they were forced to play two competitive fixtures at the 6,000-capacity Johan Cruyff Stadium, their training ground, after failing to obtain approval to use Camp Nou.
Since then, the Spanish champions have been playing their home games at the 55,000-seater Olympic Stadium on Montjuïc hill—a far-cry from the atmosphere and revenue potential of their historic home.
Camp Nou will reopen with a temporary capacity of 45,401, while construction on the upper tier continues. Once completed, the stadium will boast a massive 105,000 capacity, making it one of the largest football arenas in the world.
The club conducted a test earlier in November by allowing 23,000 fans into the stadium for an open training session, a key step toward securing safety approval for competitive matches.
The prolonged renovation has had significant financial consequences for the already cash-strapped club. Barcelona are estimated to be spending €1.5 billion (about $1.74 billion) on the Camp Nou rebuild, and every postponed reopening has added to their financial strain.
With UEFA’s approval now secured, Barcelona can finally look forward to returning to European action in their fortress—an important step in restoring both sporting momentum and financial stability.