Barcelona’s iconic Camp Nou stadium, with a rich history spanning 66 years, has been demolished as part of an extensive renovation and upgrade project.

The defending La Liga champions, FC Barcelona, have temporarily relocated to the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium for the 2023/24 season, while work on the Camp Nou redevelopment takes place.

The new and improved Camp Nou is set to become the third-largest stadium globally, boasting a capacity of 110,000 seats. The project, known as “Espai Barca,” is deemed crucial for the club’s long-term development and financial sustainability, with completion expected on March 30, 2026.

Barcelona’s Camp Nou stadium is undergoing a significant transformation as part of a $1.5 billion project aimed at modernizing the club’s infrastructure. President Joan Laporta has stressed the project’s importance for the long-term viability of the club.

Among the key objectives is the expansion of the stadium’s capacity from 99,000 to 110,000 seats. Once completed, Camp Nou will be the third-largest stadium globally, surpassed only by North Korea’s 1/5 Stadium (114,000 seats) and India’s Narendra Modi Stadium (132,000 seats).

During the renovation process, FC Barcelona will temporarily play their home matches at the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium for the 2023/24 season. The project will be implemented in phases, with work on phases 1 and 2 commencing this summer.

Once phase 3 and the roof are finalized, the team will return to Camp Nou for future matches. The completion date for the revamped stadium, known as the Spotify Camp Nou, is scheduled for March 30, 2026, precisely 999 days from now.

Meanwhile, in Madrid, Real Madrid is in the final stages of renovating their iconic Bernabeu stadium, aiming to enhance the fan experience and upgrade the facilities. The project aims to modernize the stadium and align it with the modern standards of elite football venues.

The demolition of Barcelona’s Camp Nou stadium marks the beginning of a transformative chapter for the club, with the aim of creating a state-of-the-art home ground.

FC Barcelona’s temporary relocation to the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium demonstrates their commitment to ensuring minimal disruption while constructing an upgraded Camp Nou for their dedicated fans.