Barcelona Plays LaLiga Opener at 6,000-Seat Training Ground After Camp Nou Delay

Barcelona will play their first home LaLiga game of the season against Valencia at the Johan Cruyff Stadium, a 6,000-seat venue located at their training ground, due to significant delays in the renovation of the iconic Camp Nou stadium. The Camp Nou rebuild is nine months behind schedule and has yet to receive the necessary permits for reopening even at a reduced capacity of 27,000 seats. LaLiga granted Barcelona a special exemption to play at the Johan Cruyff Stadium despite its seating capacity being well below the league's minimum requirement. The alternative Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium was unavailable due to pitch damage from a recent concert. The club is actively working to obtain administrative permits to open the new Spotify Camp Nou in the near future, aiming for a full reopening by 2026 with a final capacity of 105,000 spectators. This situation leaves Barcelona effectively without a home stadium as they continue competing in LaLiga and the Champions League.