Barcelona VP predicts Spotify Camp Nou return could be delayed until March

Speaking in an interview on Catalunya Radio (h/t MARCA), Antonio Escudero, vice president of Barcelona’s Social Area, stated that the team’s return to Spotify Camp Nou might be delayed until March.

Barça were widely expected to return to the renovated Camp Nou by the end of the year, with club president Joan Laporta suggesting as much last month.

However, delays in the work as well as UEFA rejecting Barça’s request to move stadiums before the end of the league phase of the competition, led to the belief that the return to Camp Nou could take place in February.

The game against Deportivo Alaves on February 2 was reportedly earmarked as the day when the Blaugrana returned to their iconic home turf.

However, Escudero refused to set a particular date for the return, even hinting that it might be delayed until March next year.

“I don’t dare to specify a date. Moreover, I believe some of the dates being discussed probably won’t be met,” he said.

Barcelona will return to Spotify Camp Nou in 2025. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

“It will be ready in March, but everything being said about November, January, February… I see it as difficult. I work in construction and I always say these projects are very complicated,” the Barcelona Social Area VP added.

Suggesting that opening the stadium to fans again before the end of the year will not be a straightforward task, Escudero remarked:

“I see it as unfeasible for it to be ready by the end of the year. Opening such a large space as Barça’s is very difficult. You can’t just say you’ll open next month and that’s it,” he said.

On another note, Escudero said he believes that fans have reconnected with the Barcelona team, following the strong start to the season, which has resulted in large attendance numbers at the Montjuic Stadium.

“The first year people were hesitant, but now we fill every match. We’re on a new path,” he remarked.