Barcelona has received UEFA approval to return to a partially reopened Camp Nou for Champions League matches, a key development for president Joan Laporta ahead of club elections.
Barcelona has secured a significant lift in their European campaign after UEFA granted special permission for the club to return to the Camp Nou for their upcoming Champions League fixture, according to a report from Yahoo Sports.
The approval means the crucial December 9 match against Eintracht Frankfurt will be played at the historic venue, marking the first Champions League game at the stadium since a 3-0 defeat to Bayern Munich on October 26, 2022.
UEFA’s rules normally prevent stadium changes during the league phase of the competition, but the governing body’s “good relationship” with the Spanish club played a role, as they accepted Barcelona’s request after reviewing the ongoing renovation work.
The Catalan giants recently secured a local council licence, allowing them to host games with a capped capacity of 45,401.
The return is also a timely political boost for club president Joan Laporta, who is preparing to run in the 2026 Barcelona presidential elections, scheduled between March and May.
The reopening of Camp Nou is a key achievement that strengthens his narrative of steady progress, especially as he faces opposition from Victor Font, who now has public backing from former Barça coach Xavi Hernandez.
Barcelona’s first match back at Camp Nou will be this Saturday against Athletic Club. The second home fixture, against Alaves on November 29, will be inspected by UEFA officials on-site.
Their report will finalize the approval process for the subsequent Frankfurt clash.
The return comes at an important moment as the club faces a busy period, including a Champions League trip to Chelsea and consecutive La Liga matches against Alaves and Atletico Madrid.
The move back to familiar ground, even with a limited capacity, is seen as a major advantage, especially since the Blaugrana currently sit three points behind Real Madrid in LaLiga after nine wins in 12 matches.
The full stadium rebuild is expected to finish in 2027, with the new Camp Nou set to hold 105,000 fans.