The "Espai Barça" (Barça space in Catalan) project, a long-term effort that will not be completed until 2025-2026, plans to transform not only the stadium but the entire sports complex of which it is part.

To finance the works, Barça took out a loan of 1.5 billion euros: 900 M EUR for the Camp Nou, 420 M EUR for the Palau Blaugrana used by basketball and handball and 20 M EUR for the Johan stadium. Cruyff where the reserve team (Barça B) plays.

In the 2022/2023 season, the works will concern the first two levels of the stands and the surroundings of the stadium, which will allow the football team to continue playing there with a capacity of "practically 100%", specified Laporta. .

On the other hand, in the following season (2023-2024), the Blaugranas will move to the Lluis-Companys stadium, the Olympic stadium located on the Montjuic hill, not far from the city center, where the 1992 Games were held.

The return of footballers to the Camp Nou will take place in the 2024-2025 season, but with a capacity reduced by half due to the continuation of works.

The renovation will be completed during the 2025-2026 season, during which capacity will not yet be 100%.

The renovation aims for improvements in the areas of "sustainability, innovation, technology and accessibility", the club explained in a press release citing a 360-degree screen, the installation of 5G and systems improving energy efficiency as examples of new features on the program.

"It will be the largest and most innovative sports and training space built within a city," promised the club president.

© 2022 AFP