BARCELONA are hoping to return to the Camp Nou later this year at a reduced capacity.
The stadium is currently being renovated and expanded to a 105,000 capacity.
However, Barca are now planning to reopen their home at 60 per cent of the capacity.
That is despite the venue being left half demolished during the renovation work.
Seats and the pitch were removed as construction got underway in June 2023.
The club had hoped to return in time for their 125th anniversary on November 29.
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However, Mundo Deportivo now report the hope is for the Camp Nou to reopen on December 15.
Barcelona have made a request to LaLiga for their first match back to be on that date.
The reduced capacity means 63,000 seats of the new 105,000 capacity will be available.
Permission has also been granted to extend the working hours of the renovations, the report adds.
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Meanwhile, Barca have installed 14 new hospitality boxes which are available for 8,000 Euros each.
The final completion of the renovations is scheduled for June 2026.
Barcelona have been playing at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys during the construction.
The 55,926-capacity venue is the former home of their city rivals Espanyol.
During their temporary stay, Barca were beaten in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals by Athletic Bilbao in January.
Paris Saint-Germain then dumped Xavi’s side out of the Champions League this week.
The club legend is set to step down as manager at the end of the season.
His team are currently second in LaLiga, eight points behind bitter rivals Real Madrid in the table.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
