Debate continues in Barcelona over the results of the tender for major renovation works at Spotify Camp Nou stadium. Turkish company Limak was selected for the project despite receiving the lowest technical scores. By the end of 2022, Limak’s final evaluation did not reach even half of the possible points, as confirmed by independent experts from the engineering firm GPO (now TYLin).
Nevertheless, the football club’s management expressed satisfaction with its cooperation with Limak, emphasizing that the contractor is meeting its obligations. In the technical ranking, Limak trailed behind FCC and Ferrovial. The main shortcomings cited for Limak included difficulties justifying project timelines and the need for significant upfront financial investment—over 200 million euros, while competitors requested only 12 million.
Despite this, the final decision focused on other criteria. As a result, Limak scored 74 points, outpacing Ferrovial and FCC, and won the tender based on time guarantees and a commitment to complete key phases by November 2024. The plan was for the team to return to the renovated stadium within a year, with full completion set for 2026. However, these deadlines were not met.
Espai Barça project manager Joan Centelles reported that during the course of the works, the number of managed tasks increased from 800 to 3,000, and all stages underwent strict safety controls. The contract between the club and Limak includes penalties for delays, but these can only be enforced after the completion of construction. Some of the issues that arose during the works were not related to the contractor’s actions. The club intends to seek compensation if Limak’s fault is proven in court.
It was also revealed that under the terms of the 2017 tender, Limak would not have been able to participate, as it met only one of the four requirements. However, in 2022, the criteria were changed, allowing the company to submit a bid. Media outlets reported that club president Joan Laporta met with the owner of Limak shortly before the criteria were adjusted. Four months later, Limak won the tender.
It is also noted that remodeling the first team’s locker room is not included in Limak’s responsibilities. Club representatives emphasize that the contractor selection process was monitored by external auditors, and all meetings were recorded and held under the observation of lawyers and representatives from Goldman Sachs. According to Centelles, technical reports were advisory, and factors such as lack of knowledge of Spanish could not serve as grounds to deny Limak’s participation.
