On May 28, and for the first time since 1957, the old Camp Nou will close its doors for at least one season in which the first team will move to the Estadi Olímpic de Montjuïc. The will of the club remains firm: “We want to return at the end of November 2024, coinciding with the celebration of the 125-year history of the entity. We have everything we need to start on June 1 ”, stress sources from the Barca board of directors.
To carry out the works, FC Barcelona needed two types of licenses: a first for demolition and a second for remodeling. The first is validated. In fact, during the World Cup in Qatar, a part of the demolition of the third tier was already carried out. To obtain the rest of the permits, the Barcelona City Council ensures that there is time and that if they have not yet been granted it is because of the changes that the board chaired by Joan Laporta made to the project that the previous board started.
It should be remembered that in April 2022 the Barcelona City Council granted a first license to remodel the stadium, which was processed based on the project of the previous board. The current board brought up a number of amendments that required permit changes. These modifications are related to aspects of sustainability, technology, innovation and accessibility. In this sense, they want to have more electric spaces for the car parks, install 18,000 square meters of photovoltaic panels on the new roof or incorporate screens to offer a better experience. In recent months, the council and the club have worked together to include these changes in the license.
At the moment, Barça has the demolition permit to demolish the third tier and for this reason part of the work has already been carried out during the break for the World Cup in Qatar in which part of the south goal was demolished. As of June 1, the works in the stadium will begin by continuing to demolish the third tier. Then they will continue working on the foundations of the subsoil for which a second permit is required which, according to the City Council, will be granted in June. The third permit that corresponds to the rest of the construction works of the stadium continues with the will of both parties that it is ready "the sooner the better".
The next day of the League will be the last to be played at the Camp Nou until next November 2024, due to the works on the Espai Barça project. To say goodbye to the stadium, the board of directors has organized an act in the match against Mallorca that will be played on Sunday 28. It will also be the last for Sergio Busquets in the Barça shirt. As a starting signal, the club has asked the fans to come with clothes in the blaugrana colours. The first team will also wear a special kit with the message 'Ple d'història' on the chest. Ple de futur', accompanied by the inauguration date -1957- and the closing year -2023- closure date to start the remodeling that will be led by the Turkish company Limak.
In order to meet the one and a half year deadline set by Barça and Limak, the Turkish construction company, some 3,000 employees will be needed to work two eight-hour shifts from Monday to Saturday. To face the technical part with guarantees, Limak will use six unique cranes in the world that are owned by him.
