So, you’re looking for the stadium where Barca plays for the Champions League? Honestly, if you’ve been following the news lately, you know it hasn't been a simple answer. For a while there, it felt like the club was basically living out of a suitcase. But as of January 2026, the short answer is: Spotify Camp Nou.
Finally.
But it’s not exactly the 100,000-seat beast you remember just yet. The situation is actually pretty nuanced because of the massive construction project known as Espai Barça. If you're planning to catch a game or just want to win a pub quiz, here is exactly what’s happening with the stadium situation right now.
The Big Return: Spotify Camp Nou is Back
After spending the better part of two seasons (2023-24 and 2024-25) at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys on top of Montjuïc hill, FC Barcelona has officially returned home. The club made its grand, emotional comeback to the Spotify Camp Nou in late November 2025.
The first big test? A La Liga match against Athletic Club on November 22. Shortly after, UEFA gave the green light for the Champions League, and the first European night back at the "new" old home happened on December 9, 2025, against Eintracht Frankfurt.
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It was a relief for everyone.
Let's be real—Montjuïc was... okay. But it wasn't the Camp Nou. The atmosphere at the Olympic Stadium always felt a little distant because of the running track, and the trek up the hill was a literal headache for some fans. Coming back to the Les Corts neighborhood has changed the energy of the whole season.
How many people can actually get in?
Right now, the stadium is operating at a reduced capacity. You aren't going to see 100,000 people screaming just yet.
- Initial reopening capacity: Roughly 45,401 seats.
- Current January 2026 status: The club has just submitted licenses to bump that up to about 62,000 seats.
- Target: They’re working like crazy to get the first and second tiers fully functional while the third tier—that massive "top" section—remains a skeleton of cranes and concrete for now.
Why the Delay Happened
You might remember the original plan was to be back by late 2024. Then it was August 2025. Then September. Honestly, it was a mess of "administrative permissions" and safety licenses. UEFA is notoriously strict about stadium requirements for the Champions League. They don't just care about the grass; they care about the broadcast positions, the VIP areas, and, most importantly, how quickly 45,000 people can exit the building in an emergency.
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UEFA actually did Barca a solid earlier this season. Because the stadium wasn't ready for the opening matchdays of the 2025-26 Champions League campaign, they allowed Barcelona to play their first games away from home. This bought the construction crews an extra month of 24/7 work.
What the Experience is Like Right Now
If you’re heading to a Champions League game in early 2026—say, the upcoming clash against Copenhagen on January 28—expect a construction site. A very high-end, organized construction site, but a construction site nonetheless.
The third tier is currently non-existent. You’ll see the "Diamond Area" exterior taking shape with new glass panels, but there’s no roof yet. If it rains in Barcelona during a Champions League night, you’re getting wet. It’s a "phased return," which is basically a fancy way of saying "it’s a work in progress."
Key Details for Fans:
- Transport: The Metro (L3 and L5) is back to being the primary way to get there. No more shuttle buses up the mountain.
- Seating: Only the first and second tiers are open. If you had a season ticket in the old third tier, you’re likely still in a temporary seating arrangement or using a match-by-match pass.
- The Pitch: It’s a brand-new hybrid grass surface. It looks like a carpet.
Is the Olympic Stadium (Montjuïc) still an option?
Technically, the club has a backup agreement with the city council to use the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys until February 2026 if something goes sideways. However, given that they’ve already played several Champions League and La Liga games at the Camp Nou since November, it’s highly unlikely they’d go back unless there was a major structural issue.
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Looking Ahead to the Full Reveal
The "final" version of the Spotify Camp Nou—the one with the 360-degree LED screen, the retractable roof, and the 105,000 capacity—is scheduled for completion around late 2027 or early 2028. For now, we're in the "Phase 1C" era.
It’s a weird time to be a Barca fan. You’re back home, but the house is still being painted and the top floor is missing. But even at half-capacity, the Champions League nights at the Camp Nou are hitting different this year. There's a sense that the club is finally stable again after years of financial and logistical wandering.
What you should do next
If you are planning to attend a game, check the official FC Barcelona app 48 hours before kickoff. Because the capacity is constantly shifting as new sections (like the North Goal) receive safety clearance, your gate entry or seat location might actually change between games. Also, make sure you've got your "Season Pass 2025/26" digital ticket ready—the club has moved almost entirely away from paper for these transition matches.