Home, sweet home — Barcelona returns to the Camp Nou, fans outraged

You won’t need the scoreboard, the anthem, or even a reminder on your phone to sense that something extraordinary is unfolding. It’s enough to walk through Les Corts and feel how the city starts humming from early afternoon, carried by the pulse of Barcelona supporters. Today (18.15), Spotify Camp Nou opens its doors again for Barca vs. Athletic, signaling a long-awaited homecoming.

The setting, however, is far from polished. Scaffolding towers over parts of the stands, metal beams peek out from unfinished corners, and some corridors still carry the raw smell of concrete. And yet, few stadiums in the middle of reconstruction have ever sparked this level of anticipation.

After 909 days—two and a half years away—FC Barcelona steps back onto its own turf. It’s only a partial reopening, limited to 45,401 fans spread across the South Stand, Main Stand, and Lateral sections in line with Plan 1B approved by the City Council, but emotionally, athletically, and financially, the weight of the moment is enormous. The date even aligns with the birthday of founder Joan Gamper, born November 22, 1877.

Supporters who spent this period climbing up to Montjuïc and backing the team at the Estadi Olimpic will finally feel that unmistakable Camp Nou heartbeat again, the one enhanced by its recognized “Spotify sound.”

However, what infuriated the fans who had been waiting desperately for the tickets to go on sale was — the prices. Because those with thinner wallets won’t be able to watch the match against the Basques.

The cheapest ticket for this game costs 199 euros, and the price goes all the way up to 589 euros. Priority purchasing goes to those with membership cards, while season-ticket holders will also have to check in through the app to confirm they are coming to the stadium. Only after that, whatever remains will be released for general sale.

The full renovation won’t wrap up until the end of 2027—over a year behind schedule—but the club has made sure this partial return feels like a festival. Doors open two hours early, Figa Flawas and the Orfeo Catala choir are set to perform before kickoff, The Tyets will take the stage at halftime, fans are asked to dress in Barca colors, and a surprise guest will handle the ceremonial first touch of the ball.

For Hansi Flick and several players—Joan Garcia, Cubarsí, Casado, Bernal, Fermín, Olmo, Bardghji—this isn’t just a match, but their first true taste of official competition at the revamped Spotify Camp Nou.

Destiny has chosen a fitting rival for this rebirth: an Athletic Club navigating its own tensions and featuring Nico Williams, the winger who once came close to joining Barca. For Barcelona, there’s encouraging news as well: Joan Garcia and Raphinha return, aiming to boost the team’s push upward.

“We played on a pitch that wasn’t ours. Montjuic was fine, but it wasn’t what we wanted. ‘Camp Nou will be a big help for what’s to come,’” said Lamine Yamal, the number 10, keenly aware that the club’s future—both sporting and symbolic—truly begins again at home.

SPAIN LA LIGA ROUND 13

Friday

Valencia - Levante 1-0 (0-0)

/Duro 79/

Saturday

16.00: (2.60) Alaves (3.20) Celta (3.05)

18.15: (1.40) Barcelona (4.70) Ath.Bilbao (8.00)

20.30: (2.80) Osasuna (3.05) Sociedad (2.95)

23.00: (1.48) Villareal (4.50) Mallorca (7.75)

Sunday

16.00: (3.50) Oviedo (3.20) Rayo Vallecano (2.30)

18.15: (1.60) Betis (4.00) Girona (5.70)

20.30: (5.40) Getafe (3.50) Atl.Madrid (1.80)

23.00: (7.75) Elche (5.10) Real Madrid (1.37)

Monday

23.00: (2.15) Espanyol (3.45) Sevilla (3.70)

***odds are subject to change***