Pros and cons of a third year in exile

BarcelonaLong before Limak was chosen to renovate the Camp Nou, the major Spanish construction companies had already informed Joan Laporta's board that neither the price nor the execution timeframe proposed by the club were viable. In this back-and-forth, the board pulled off a coup, changed the rules of the contest and opened the door for the Turkish company to win the bidding. Amid criticism, the president argued that Limak was the only company committed to reopening the stadium within 18 months. Almost two years later, it's clear that the deadlines have not been met. But the problem goes deeper: no one can guarantee a date for the first team's return to Barça's stadium. Return this May ruled out, it's not even certain to start at the stadium next season. When someone asks, the only official response is "we'll be back as soon as we can."

"There's no renovation of that magnitude that can be done with such tight deadlines. There are too many people, companies, and suppliers involved. On the contrary: the news would have been to be able to return in a year and a half!" explains an architect well connected to Espai Barça. The club did with Limak what, in terms of construction, It's called a turnkeyA price was agreed upon, and the company took care of everything. The work started well, and the demolition of the third tier was completed ahead of schedule. Problems arose later due to the difficulty in finding qualified labor, the City Council's scheduling limitations, unforeseen damage to the structure of the first and second tiers, and the fact that one of the companies supplying the iron went bankrupt, and alternatives had to be found. As everything was running late, Barça decided to make use of one of the clauses in the contract with Limak and contracted out some tasks, such as the spaces. VIP, to third-party companies. The cost is not separate, but rather included in the guaranteed maximum price of 990 million to which Limak committed. Although it was done by mutual agreement, the club does not hide its displeasure with the construction company, which they consider excessive delays. But the Turkish company, which is also hurt, shrugs off blame and maintains that it is not responsible for most of the unforeseen events.

It's clear that Barça is in a hurry to get back home. For sentimental reasons, but above all, for economic reasons. Balancing the budget and repay the debt to Goldman Sachs It's easier if you stop paying rent on Montjuïc and boost Camp Nou's business. According to the workers on the ground, the construction is progressing at a good enough pace to have the first and second stands finished by the end of April, with a capacity of approximately 60,000 spectators. Therefore, it would have been possible to arrive in time for the Clásico against Real Madrid on May 11. "The problem was twofold. From the outset, it wasn't clear that the City Council and the Fire Department had authorized the partial reopening. And then, it's clear that it's not worth returning to Camp Nou to play just two games. Many temporary facilities have to be built only to be dismantled after four days. That, beyond the cost, only delays the return until the works are more advanced."

The Camp Nou's business makes less sense if the return is with temporary capacity and half-services

Ruled out in May, the next option is to start the 2025/26 season at Camp Nou. However, there are additional problems that are shaking up the business outlook. The third tier –of which the structure will be finished in July– will not be able to accommodate the public until at least January 2026. Just like the double link of the boxes VIP. Income will also be lower with the Museum, since it will not be possible to carry out the tours on the outdoor terraces until the work is finished. Aside from the money, another condition is added: the roof, which will require between four and five months to build at the grass level and lift it into place. These tasks, of course, cannot be combined with the competition. The architects' proposal is to bring forward its installation, to do so in the fall of 2025 rather than the summer of 2026. This way, the return could be made in early 2026 with much less provisional conditions and a capacity close to 100%. The board, at least for the moment, does not want to hear about anything other than starting next season at the Camp Nou.

However, the club's membership could also play an important role in this decision. This was demonstrated in October, when the club—which swore that by now it would have returned to the Camp Nou—put 45,000 season tickets on sale for the provisional return. But of the 81,000 members who were eligible, only 35,000 were interested"Many prefer to wait, because they don't see the point of returning to a field having to walk under cranes and scaffolding," admits the social department.

The alternative is to continue a few more months in Montjuïc. BSM, the company that manages the Olympic ring equipment, will start in disassemble The stadium will be closed at the end of May to host the concerts scheduled for June and July. "What we don't know is whether we'll be able to reopen it or not," says an authorized source from the company. They know there are increasing rumors, but they assure us that Barça hasn't communicated anything to them. However, they make one thing clear: "From August onwards, our schedule is completely free."