Tebas addresses Barcelona’s Camp Nou return: licensing holdup stalls move to ‘rightful ground’

La Liga president Javier Tebas acknowledged that Barcelona are eager to return to the Camp Nou but said licensing issues are delaying the move. He indicated he has only read briefings on the matter rather than overseen it directly, and stressed he would prefer Barça to be back at their “rightful ground” already. The remarks reignited debate over who ultimately signs off the final approvals and whether timelines were overly optimistic. Supporters remain split: some suspect institutional hurdles, others point to necessary safety and compliance checks. Until permits are finalized, Barcelona are expected to continue using the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys.

Barcelona have been renovating the Spotify Camp Nou as part of the Espai Barça project, temporarily relocating home fixtures to the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys. Stadium operations require safety and activity licenses from the relevant authorities before reopening to fans at scale. In recent public remarks, La Liga president Javier Tebas said Barcelona want to return as soon as possible but are held up by licensing hurdles, noting he has only read about the issue and is not the issuing authority. The comments arrive amid heightened scrutiny of timelines, matchday logistics, and the broader impact on Barcelona’s season planning.

Javier Tebas: "I haven't spoken about this issue, I've only read about it. They're eager to play at the Camp Nou as soon as possible, but they're having problems with the license. "I would have liked them to be playing on their rightful ground already, but it is what it is. If

@BarcaUniversal

Impact Analysis

The licensing delay around Camp Nou’s reopening has multifaceted implications for Barcelona’s short- and medium-term outlook. First, matchday economics: even a partial postponement compounds lost revenue from ticketing, hospitality, museum tours, and retail in a season where financial recovery leans on the renovated venue’s greater capacity and premium inventory. The difference between operating at Montjuïc and a phased return to Camp Nou is measured not just in seats, but in per-fan spend and corporate packages—key levers in Barcelona’s financial stabilization.

Second, competitive performance: while Barça have adapted to Montjuïc, home advantage is inherently diminished by unfamiliar routines, travel logistics, and a less intimidating environment for visitors. Returning to Camp Nou could boost points accumulation, especially in tight domestic title races or decisive European fixtures. Training-to-stadium coordination, pitch specificity, and fan proximity all matter at the margins—and margins decide trophies.

Third, stakeholder relations and optics: a clear, collaborative path among the club, municipal regulators, safety authorities, and La Liga helps defuse narratives of bias or obstruction. Transparent milestones—test events, capacity ramps, and safety certifications—can reset expectations and calm a polarized discourse. Conversely, ambiguous timelines fuel speculation, erode trust, and distract squad focus.

Finally, brand momentum: the refurbished stadium is a flagship asset for sponsors and global partners. Delays complicate launch campaigns and experiential activations. A well-communicated phased opening, however, can turn constraint into a rolling series of high-visibility moments that re-energize fan engagement and commercial value.

Reaction

Online reactions fractured along familiar lines. A sizable contingent read the remarks as confirmation that Barcelona are ready but entangled in formalities, urging authorities to move faster. Another cohort insisted that the licensing process is non-negotiable—safety audits, accessibility checks, and operational stress tests must come before sentiment. Some questioned whether the league president is the decision-maker at all, noting that municipal and safety entities typically sign the final approvals.

Accusations of institutional bias surfaced, with a few fans alleging that rival interests benefit from the delay. Others pushed back, arguing that such claims ignore the realities of post-renovation commissioning: structural certifications, emergency egress planning, and crowd-flow modeling are exacting and time-consuming. A number of replies drifted off-topic—celebrating individual players or digressing into unrelated promotions—reflecting the chaotic nature of large comment threads.

Constructive voices called for a concrete roadmap: publish the pending steps, schedule controlled test events, and communicate criteria for partial capacity. Pragmatists emphasized that a short-term wait is preferable to rushing an opening that could expose supporters to avoidable risk or trigger stop-start closures. Overall, the sentiment swings between impatience to “go home” and a sober acceptance that the final sign-off must be earned, not assumed.

Social reactions

Like wtf is this typa human being! I usually don’t hate people, but when I see speeches from this dude I get so fucking irritated.

Kinosose (@kinosose)

Una siesta en el sitio😴😴😴

Ghazi Rekik (@GhaziRekik7401)

License drama over Nou Camp era incoming! 🔥⚽

ᎩᏗᏬᏕᏗᏬᎦ (@yausauf_lauwal)

Prediction

In the near term, expect a pragmatic sequence: limited-attendance pilot events, targeted inspections, and incremental capacity ramps tied to clearly defined safety metrics. Scenario one—most likely—sees approvals arriving within weeks to a few months, enabling a phased reopening aligned with a cluster of high-profile home fixtures. This path would maximize revenue recovery while demonstrating compliance discipline.

Scenario two involves a longer tail: outstanding items such as emergency systems certification, crowd-flow recalibration, or ancillary works (concessions, accessibility upgrades) extend the timeline. Barcelona would remain at Montjuïc through a significant segment of the campaign, but could still stage ceremonial milestones at Camp Nou once partial areas pass inspection.

A lower-probability scenario entails regulatory feedback requiring additional structural or operational modifications, delaying full capacity until late season or beyond. To hedge, Barça will likely intensify stakeholder coordination: weekly progress briefings, rapid-response task forces for punch-list items, and early engagement with supporter groups to align expectations. If the club executes that plan, the first match back should unfold under controlled conditions that showcase improved ingress, acoustics, and fan amenities—turning inevitability into advantage rather than distraction.

Latest today

• Nagelsmann explains Maximilian Mittelstädt omission: door still open for Germany left-back Nagelsmann explains Maximilian Mittelstädt omission: door still open for Germany left-back
• Serge Gnabry opens door to Bayern extension as club poised to approach Serge Gnabry opens door to Bayern extension as club poised to approach
• Manchester United hold face-to-face talks to extend Harry Maguire contract before June expiry Manchester United hold face-to-face talks to extend Harry Maguire contract before June expiry
• Frenkie de Jong approves Barcelona extension to 2029 as Flick eyes Rashford at No.9 Frenkie de Jong approves Barcelona extension to 2029 as Flick eyes Rashford at No.9

Conclusion

The message is simple: Barcelona want back in, and the league welcomes it, but licensing must lead. That tension—urgency versus diligence—defines this final stretch. For the club, clear communication and visible milestones can convert fan impatience into anticipation. For authorities, predictable checkpoints and timely feedback will keep the process from becoming a lightning rod for broader grievances. The prize is worth the patience: a safer, larger, more modern Camp Nou that restores sporting edge and reactivates core revenues.

In the interim, Barcelona’s job is to separate stadium noise from on-pitch focus. Montjuïc has to feel like a fortress, not a layover. If the team sustains results while the compliance boxes are checked, the eventual homecoming lands as momentum, not relief. When the gates finally open, it should be because every system is ready—so that the first whistle back at Camp Nou sounds like the start of a new era, not the end of a rushed compromise.