Camp Nou, the famed venue that saw players like Lionel Messi, Ronaldinho, and Johan Cryuff operate at the top of their powers, is officially being demolished. The Iconic stadium has been FC Barcelona‘s home since 1957, but now, it is due for a makeover. And years of planning, the club’s administration has finally initiated Camp Nou’s renovation.
The reasons behind the decision are relatively simple. Camp Nou has been in a state of decay for years. From hygiene issues to structural vulnerabilities, the venue desperately needed an upgrade. After acquiring funds from numerous lenders, the $1.6 billion project has finally commenced.
The demolition of the Spotify Camp Nou continues 🥺 pic.twitter.com/pToy1edHe9
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) July 11, 2023
Over the course of the next few years, the Camp Nou will be revamped into a modern sporting venue. The plans laid out for its renovation include; increased capacity, the installation of a third tier for VIP seating, and even a roof covered in 30,000 square meters worth of solar panels.
Given the ambitious nature of the renovations, Barca fans are largely on-board with the venue’s demolition. However, they couldn’t help but express their dejection at the iconic stadium destroyed. Footage of cranes picking apart Camp Nou’s stands has gone viral, leading to despondent reactions from Barca supporters.
Seeing Camp Nou being demolished has genuinely made me feel a pang of sadness. It’s one of football’s most iconic stadiums, regardless of who you support.
I went there on a school trip years ago and was blown away by the size of the place.
— HLTCO (@HLTCO) July 10, 2023
One of the best stadiums I’ve ever been to, upsetting to see it destroyed https://t.co/sz5qTsPQ8Y
— O’Connell (@Benjamin_OCON) July 10, 2023
— Arin Majumder (@TheOnlyRealArin) July 9, 2023
Camp Nou works update: 11/07/23 🚧 Look how they massacred my boy 🥹 pic.twitter.com/lYjUnBQQPu
— 9CAMPNOU (@9Campnou) July 11, 2023
The last Ucl game in the camp nou https://t.co/4e4Y7iz2Ep pic.twitter.com/iQigFZMkiQ
— ً (@clinicalmusiala) July 10, 2023
Our training ground 💔 https://t.co/3KyYBUohlD
— ᴇѕᴇᴛ (@esetfcb) July 11, 2023
They were tired of Bayern owning them every time https://t.co/v4dT5Usj21
— TM (@TheMullerLad25) July 11, 2023
Culers weren’t alone in reacting to the footage online, as numerous other users took the opportunity to have a bit of fun at Barca’s expense. By referencing the batterings they’ve received from Bayern Munich, users online labeled Camp Nou as the Bavarians ‘training ground’.
When will the Camp Nou reopen?
The newly renovated Spotify Camp Nou is set to reopen on 30th March 2026. But Barcelona will resume playing at the venue in November 2024. This will be facilitated by limiting the seating to just 70% of the total capacity. The date coincides with the club’s 125th anniversary and as such, the club museum and FCB Botiga will open as well.
The new Spotify Camp Nou is scheduled to be fully completed on the 30th of March 2026, exactly 999 days from now. pic.twitter.com/RuafPL5jyi
— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) July 6, 2023
In the meantime, Barcelona will play all their games at the Olympic Stadium. The move will cost the club an estimated $95 million annually, owing to the reduced seating capacity of the venue.