The Union of European Football Associations has officially confirmed: the match between Barcelona and Olympiacos as part of the third round of the Champions League group stage will take place at Spotify Camp Nou. According to the organization’s statement, this stadium has been chosen as the venue for the match. The game is scheduled for October 21.
A few days earlier, on October 18, Barcelona is set to play a home match in the Spanish league against Girona. The final decision regarding the venue for this game has not yet been made. However, municipal representatives have expressed confidence that the match could also be held at Camp Nou. The city’s mayor, Jaume Collboni, expressed hope for positive news in the near future, while deputy mayor for security Albert Batlle noted he expects the completion of necessary upgrades for a partial reopening of the stadium. According to him, resolving the remaining technical issues will allow for permission to host matches with fans.
Nevertheless, the team’s return to the stadium for domestic competition does not guarantee automatic approval to host European matches at the same venue. Separate requirements apply for Champions League games: additional construction work must be completed and the second tier opened, which has not yet been implemented. If these conditions are met, the stadium capacity will increase from 27,000 to 45,000 spectators.
In addition, there is currently no official permission to hold group stage Champions League home matches at two different stadiums. According to the current regulations, the club is required to use the same venue for all home games. The upcoming match against PSG will be held by Barcelona at the Olympic Stadium in Montjuïc, and changing the location will require special approval from UEFA. The club’s management has already notified the football authorities of their intention to play the next match at Camp Nou.
The club emphasizes that the stadium change is solely due to necessity and not for commercial interests. However, until official consent is received from UEFA and work on opening the second tier of the stands is completed, the team’s return to Camp Nou cannot be considered definitively confirmed, despite the announcement on the organization’s website.
