Barcelona Hosts Valencia at 6,000-Capacity Johan Cruyff Stadium Amid Camp Nou Permit Delays

FC Barcelona's return to their iconic Camp Nou stadium has been delayed again due to ongoing renovations and the lack of necessary permits from the city council. Originally aiming for a partial reopening with a reduced capacity of 27,000, the club has now confirmed that the upcoming La Liga match against Valencia will be played at the 6,000-capacity Johan Cruyff Stadium, which does not fully meet La Liga's usual requirements but has been granted an exception. The Camp Nou rebuild, costing approximately €1.5 billion, is not expected to be completed until 2026, and Barcelona has not been optimistic about returning before the October international break. Additionally, the Montjuïc Olympic Stadium, where Barcelona played home games during construction, is unavailable for the Valencia match due to a Post Malone concert, though it remains an option for later home fixtures. This ongoing uncertainty and the inability to host matches at Camp Nou are financially impacting the club, which could lose significant matchday revenue. Barcelona continues to work on obtaining the necessary licenses, with UEFA regulations also influencing potential stadium usage during Champions League matches.