Podcast Summary: Why Barcelona Still Can't Play at Camp Nou
The Athletic FC Podcast | Host: Ayo Akimwolere
Guests: Paul Belous, Laia Cervello Herrero
Date: September 11, 2025
Overview
This episode explores the ongoing saga behind FC Barcelona’s inability to return to their iconic Camp Nou stadium. Host Ayo Akimwolere is joined by Barcelona correspondents Paul Belous and Laia Cervello Herrero, who dissect the causes of construction delays, the surprising venue choices for matches, financial repercussions, the mood inside the club, and the broader implications for Barca. With a mix of insights, inside reporting, and light-hearted banter, the team clarifies what’s really happening behind the headlines.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. What’s in a Name: Camp Nou, Not Nou Camp
- [02:13] Paul kicks off by clarifying a common misnomer:
"It's just Camp Nou. That's a message to anyone who still says like Nou Camp. That's not right, that's wrong... the name is Camp Nou."
(Paul Belous, 02:13)
2. Why Barcelona Can't Play at Camp Nou (Or Montjuïc)
- [03:19] Camp Nou’s ongoing construction means it’s not ready — lacking permits, licenses, and safe access.
- Montjuïc, their temporary home, is unavailable due to other city bookings, including a Post Malone concert this weekend.
"Monjuic was off the table for Barcelona and they had to look at basically just other options... the other option... was playing at the Johan Cruyff stadium."
(Paul Belous, 03:19) - The solution: Barca’s first La Liga home game is at the 6,000-seater Johan Cruyff Stadium.
- [04:53] Laia describes the much smaller venue and its family-friendly, less intense atmosphere.
"It's a pretty small stadium, as you can imagine, for the capacity it has. It's also pretty modern..."
(Laia Cervello Herrero, 04:53)
3. Construction Delays: What Went Wrong?
- [06:21] Delays stem from construction slowdowns, lack of permits and licenses, supply chain issues, and contractors going bust.
"All the accesses to the stadium, everything is just not ready... They didn't have all the licenses to work as many hours as they wanted... companies being contracted to provide materials being basically broke, going bankrupt."
(Paul Belous, 06:21) - Four planned stages for stadium reopening – first with 27,000 capacity, gradually to 60,000+.
- Despite initial projections, a November 2024 return became impossible; now, even summer 2025 offers no guarantees.
4. Player and Fan Sentiments
- Players: Little visible distress among players; most are resigned and focused on football.
"All of them want to return to Camp Nou, but I don't think this is a main concern for them"
(Laia Cervello Herrero, 08:53) - Fans: Increasing frustration stems from mixed club messaging and lack of clear communication rather than the displacement itself.
"What has created more frustration... is the communications policy and just the way that Barcelona has handled it, promising things they were not able to deliver."
(Paul Belous, 10:32)
5. Uncertainty for Upcoming Fixtures
- [11:48] Champions League logistics remain unsolved; Barca do not know yet where they’ll play home games against the likes of PSG. Montjuïc may soon become available again, but nothing is concrete.
6. Footballing Logistics: Fixture Congestion
- [12:56] Sharing the small Johan Cruyff stadium with women’s and B teams could cause clashes, but Laia believes this will only last for the Post Malone weekend.
7. Financial Impact of Delays
- [15:38] Staying away from Camp Nou triggers huge losses — estimated €90 million per season, now compounding over two years.
"If you hold the match at Camp Nou, the belief inside the group is that the financial element is going to be boosted a lot... you start paying the debt of the Camp Nou when you start playing there."
(Paul Belous, 15:38) - Operating at smaller venues limits merchandise, ticket sales, and corporate hospitality streams.
- Forced to pay stadium rent at alternate venues, worsening the balance sheet.
“For time, the first, third game, I also have doubts. So that's going to be money that you have to start discounting and then if you start playing at Camp Nou with limited capacity, that's less tickets that you can sell as well.”
(Paul Belous, 17:45) - [18:02]
“Technically that’s €180 million out of Barcelona’s pocket. I mean, this isn’t great, is it?”
(Ayo Akimwolere, 17:45)
8. Club Governance, Politics, and Short-Termism
- Club president Joan Laporta is seen as a short-term operator — focused on success today, betting that silverware solves all, even if strategic planning suffers.
"That's like a risky move because it's more like sometimes you can label as short term planning, but in a way that's just what he's done."
(Paul Belous, 15:38) - [19:47] Laia notes:
"Every time you think this time is going to be the one that they are going to fail... somehow they just make it so."
(Laia Cervello Herrero, 19:47) - With elections next year, Laporta remains strong as long as the team performs, and no rival candidate is emerging.
"As long as the team is competitive on the pitch, I think this will give Laporta an edge."
(Paul Belous, 20:36) - Success on the pitch can shield presidents from structural criticism.
9. Sponsor Relations
- Playing away from Camp Nou and in smaller stadiums threatens commercial relationships, especially with headline partner Spotify.
"I think probably is one of the biggest topics inside the club because money has to arrive to the club and you have to think of the sponsors first."
(Laia Cervello Herrero, 22:55) - Yet, creative activations (like artist shirt collaborations) keep sponsors engaged, while Barca’s global brand and young talents are still appealing assets.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On stadium naming conventions:
"It's just Camp Nou. That's a message to anyone who still says like Nou Camp. That's not right, that's wrong."
(Paul Belous, 02:13) -
On fan frustration:
"What has created more frustration... is the communications policy and just the way that Barcelona has handled it, promising things they were not able to deliver."
(Paul Belous, 10:32) -
On financial hit:
"Technically that’s €180 million out of Barcelona’s pocket. I mean, this isn’t great, is it?"
(Ayo Akimwolere, 17:45) -
On Laporta's strategy:
"Every president in Barcelona's history think about the short term, because they need to be voted in five years time."
(Paul Belous, 21:41) -
On new stadium experiences:
"I think Barca has in the history of La Liga the biggest attendance in a game... and probably will have as well, the lowest. So it's kind of funny that Barca has both sides of the records in La Liga attendance."
(Laia Cervello Herrero, 04:53)
Major Timestamps
- [02:13] – “Camp Nou” vs. “Nou Camp”
- [03:19] – Why neither Camp Nou nor Montjuïc is available
- [04:53] – The experience at Johan Cruyff Stadium
- [06:21] – The causes (and saga) of construction delays
- [08:53] – Player perspectives on the stadium situation
- [10:32] – Fans’ frustrations & club communications
- [15:38] – Financial impacts and the €90m annual shortfall
- [19:47] – Barca’s reliance on short-term political survival
- [22:55] – Sponsor relationships during stadium limbo
Team Performance & Player Updates
- Start to La Liga Season:
Flick’s side are yet to truly impress amid unsettled circumstances. The manager has called for more unity and less egotism. - Lamine Yamal:
Impressive start, but needs the team to function as a whole to reach last season’s levels. (Paul Belous, 27:31) - Champions League Hopes:
Both correspondents and players have high expectations; after a surprise semi-final last year, the goal is now to win."I think this season for them is just about to win the Champions League. They have won it for the last time 10 years ago."
(Laia Cervello Herrero, 29:10) - Marcus Rashford:
Settling in well off the pitch; talk of his loan being cut short is “nonsense.” He should get more chances in the coming weeks.
(Paul Belous, 31:59)
Staff Moves
- Thiago Alcantara returns to backroom staff under Hansi Flick to work with midfielders and support squad morale.
“...the relationship really worked really well. It was really successful. Thiago Alcantara was somebody that was really there for the players…”
(Laia Cervello Herrero, 33:59)
Takeaways
- Barcelona’s saga is a mixture of grand ambitions, chronic delays, mounting financial pressure, and pragmatic compromises.
- The club’s communication strategy and short-term focus are causing unease, but on-field success shields the management from the worst fallout.
- Camp Nou’s reopening remains uncertain, with broader stakes for finances, club politics, and sponsor relations.
- Meanwhile, Barcelona's young, dynamic squad presents hope for both domestic and European success—potentially papering over structural cracks, at least for now.