BARCELONA, Spain (AP) – A roar of over 20,000 supporters echoed through a portion of the newly renovated Camp Nou on Friday as FC Barcelona held its first training session in the stadium after a two-year closure for extensive remodeling. The return to the iconic venue marks a meaningful milestone in the club’s ambitious modernization project,though considerable work remains.
The open training session offered fans a first glimpse of the progress on the stadium, which is being expanded to accommodate 105,000 spectators - an increase from its previous capacity of just under 100,000. While the lower levels are nearing completion, much of the upper deck remains under construction, a visible reminder of the ongoing transformation. The event was particularly poignant as Barcelona has been playing its home matches at the Olympic Stadium since the start of the 2023-24 season, and even briefly at its smaller training ground stadium earlier this season due to delays.
Fans enthusiastically greeted players like Lamine Yamal as they took to the pitch,singing and chanting in a vibrant atmosphere reminiscent of a matchday. Tickets for the event, priced at 5 euros for club members and 10 euros for the general public, sold out quickly, demonstrating the deep connection between the club and its fanbase.
Club president Joan Laporta expressed optimism this week about perhaps hosting games at the Camp Nou later this month. The stadium originally closed in May 2023 to begin the 1.45 billion euro (approximately $1.6 billion at the time of funding) renovation, initially aiming for a november 2024 completion to coincide with the club’s 125th anniversary. However, the timeline has faced repeated setbacks.
the remodeling project is intended to modernize the stadium and secure Barcelona’s financial future, as the club carries significant debt. Hansi Flick’s team used the session to prepare for their upcoming La Liga match against Celta Vigo on Sunday.
