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Due to planned renovation, the iconic Camp Nou will not host Barcelona in the 2023-24 season. The renovation works at the 99,000seater venue will begin towards the end of this season with the first and second tiers. The renovation work is being conducted under the high-stake 'Espai Barca' project, Barcelona's attempt to modernize its facilities in the city.
The third tier will be demolished in the summer of 2023, with renovation continuing into the following season. Amidst this, Barcelona will play at the Olympic Stadium across the city as their temporary home ground. Following the council's renovation approval of Camp Nou, the club President reportedly said, "Regarding the affectations of the 2022-23 season, we will practically maintain 100 per cent of the capacity."
As per reports, Barcelona members approved the 1.5 billion euro project in December, eyeing the complete reincarnation of the ageing Camp Nou. The stadium's capacity will increase from just over 99,000 to 1,05,000. At the same time, innovations will introduce new changes like installing a retracted roof covered in solar panels and several commercial facilities, including a hotel, ice rink and offices.
The Olympic Stadium, which has a sitting capacity of 60,713, was previously home to Barcelona's local rivals Espanyol, who played there between 1997 and 2009. The Olympic Stadium — or the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys — is a 60,000 seater venue southwest of Barcelona that overlooks the coast. Among its most prolific games, it has hosted Copa del Rey final and several Spain national team friendlies.
The England national team has also played there on several occasions, facing Andorra in a Euro 2008 qualifier in 2007 and a 2010 World Cup qualifier in 2008. The renovation of the Camp Nou will approximately cost €1.5 billion and be completed during the 2025-26 season.
Barcelona says that the team could return at Camp Nou for the 2024-25 campaign, but games would only be able to be played at 50 per cent capacity. In March, Barcelona reached a "long-term" agreement with streaming giant Spotify to rename their stadium the 'Spotify Camp Nou'.