Problems for Barça: Will another stadium be necessary in the Champions League?

FC Barcelona could be forced to change venues for the final phase of the UEFA Champions League. According to the tournament regulations, teams must play all matches of the same phase at the previously confirmed venue. Initially, Barça plans to extend its contract with the Ajuntament for another six months to stay in Montjuïc until the end of the 2024/25 season.

However, Lluís Companys will not be available for the last two months of competition, due to various cultural events scheduled in advance. This would prevent Barça from playing hypothetical Champions semifinals at the Estadi Olímpic, should they advance to that stage. The club could try to obtain permission for this match, but the management does not want to alternate between two venues during the second half of the season.

The return to Spotify Camp Nou is still uncertain

According to the club's plans, Spotify Camp Nou should be ready by March, with a partial capacity of 65,000 spectators if the work does not suffer further delays. Some sources close to the management are more pessimistic regarding that deadline, as there is still much to be done inside the locker rooms, boxes, and access to the stands.

What the club is clear about is that, as soon as there is a green light to return to Les Corts, there is no possibility of continuing to play in Montjuïc. Barça does not want to maintain two active venues, although Champions regulations would ultimately force this decision. Unless there is a surprise, the club will have until February 21 to confirm the stadium where they will play the round of 16 and, consequently, the other matches corresponding to the phases to which the team manages to qualify.

If forced to play the 'play-off' (Hansi Flick's team would have to lose their two remaining matches for this), the management would need to confirm their venue for the 'KO' phase three weeks prior, on January 31, as the matchups to define the remaining eight qualifiers for the round of 16 will take place from February 11 to 19.

Cornellà, Mestalla... Barça's alternative venues for the Champions League

If the possibility of returning to Camp Nou in March is ruled out, as well as the possibility of playing in Montjuïc until the end of the 2024/25 season, Barcelona is considering three alternative venues for the 'KO' phase of the Champions League. The most feasible option points to Cornellà-El Prat, the stadium of Espanyol, although Mestalla (Valencia) and Metropolitano (Madrid) are also being mentioned, with the latter being the least feasible option due to the distance from Catalonia.