
Barcelona 'confirm the date for return to Nou Camp' - after £1.25bn project was hit with repeated delays
Barcelona have reportedly planned their return to their long-term home at the Spotify Nou Camp after the project was hit with multiple delays, according to reports in Catalonia.
The Catalan giants started work on their world-famous stadium to increase its capacity to 105,000, after winning LaLiga back in June 2023.
The Olympic Stadium has been Barclona's home ever since, with the original date for the club's return to the Nou Camp set for 125th anniversary on November 29, 2024.
However, the club has continually pushed back their homecoming due to slow progress on construction, with previous reports suggesting that the move could be ready for the final El Clasico of the season.
But last weekend's clash with loathed rivals Real Madrid - which all but confirmed the title for Hansi Flick's side - has come and gone without the much tipped homecoming.
But with the season set to draw to a close in the coming weeks, Barcelona will hope to move back to the Nou Camp ahead of their next campaign.
As per Cadena SER's programme Que T'hi Jugues, the long-awaited move will take place after the September international break at the start of the 2025-26 season.
This means that the LaLiga side will have three matches to play before their return - but the club has put in a request with the Spanish top flight to play all of these away from home.
Barcelona are reportedly hopeful that these extra weeks and the additional days where their players are with the national team allow work to be completed, ensuring that most of the season is spent in their new old home.
The club have previously released timely updates for fans to take a look at the progress of the renovations, with a slew of additional footage released at the end of March.
Reports at the time suggested that the turf was scheduled to be laid in April, but the installation of the roof - set to be the largest in Europe - is some way off.
Upon completion, the Nou Camp will become the single largest sports venue in the entirety of Europe.
When completed (CGI image pictured) the Nou Camp will be the single largest sports venue in the entirety of Europe
The continuous delays have provided further financial issues to Barcelona, who have been in dire straits for a number of years.
But when the costly renovationd of the Nou Camp are completed, the club will be able to rake in millions compared to the far lower revenues of the smaller Olympic Stadium.
Despite the stadium distractions, Flick's side have coped well during their enforced exile, with the Blaugrana in pole position at the top of the LaLiga standings ahead of the final three matchdays.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Reuters
2 hours ago
- Reuters
Watkins out of England's games against Andorra, Senegal with injury
June 7 (Reuters) - England striker Ollie Watkins will miss the side's matches against Andorra and Senegal after withdrawing due to a minor injury, the England team said. The 29-year-old, who scored 17 goals and provided 14 assists in 54 appearances in all competitions for Aston Villa in the recently concluded season, has been capped 18 times for England, netting five times. With Watkins' withdrawal, captain Harry Kane and Ivan Toney remain England manager Thomas Tuchel's striker options for their two upcoming games. England play Andorra in a 2026 World Cup qualifier in Spain on Saturday before hosting Senegal for a friendly match on Tuesday.


BBC News
2 hours ago
- BBC News
Reaction & analysis as Sinner and Alcaraz reach French Open final
Update: Date: 22:00 BST 6 June Title: Thanks for joining us Content: That's everything from us as the men's semi-finals draw to a close. So, it's world number one Jannik Sinner and defending champion Carlos Alcaraz to meet in the final on Sunday. We'll be back tomorrow for the women's singles final when it's also world number one Aryna Sabalenka against second seed Coco Gauff. We will also be covering the men's doubles final when British duo Neal Skupski and Joe Salisbury meet Spain's Marcel Granollers and Argentina's Horacio Zeballos. Here's a little bedtime reading in the meantime: Update: Date: 21:59 BST 6 June Title: What is the prize money? Content: Victory for Jannik Sinner keeps him on track for a huge payday if he comes through against Carlos Alcaraz on Sunday. The total prize money for the French Open is 56.352m euros (£47.5m) - an increase on last year of 5.21%. The men's and women's singles champions will win 2.55m euros (£2.15m), with the runner-up taking home 1.275m euros (£1.07m). Update: Date: 21:57 BST 6 June Title: Top-tier finals Content: Sinner 6-4 7-5 7-6 (7-3) Djokovic The top-two players in the world have reached the finals in both the men's and women's singles at a single Grand Slam event for the first time since the US Open 2013 (Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka). Update: Date: 21:55 BST 6 June Title: 'It will be an amazing final' Content: Sinner 6-4 7-5 6-6 (7-3) Djokovic Andrea PetkovicFormer world number nine on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds The thing that Novak Djokovic tried to do today is Carlos' natural game. The variation, the drop shots, coming to the net. Novak can do it, but he would like to be as machine-like as Jannik Sinner. Carlos Alcaraz will play very well within a comfort zone. I'm sure it will be an amazing final and I can't wait for it. Update: Date: 21:52 BST 6 June Title: Post Content: Sinner 6-4 7-5 7-6 (7-3) Djokovic On Sunday, two players born in 2000s - Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner - meet in a men's singles final at a Grand Slam event for the first time. Let's do an early poll. Thumbs up if world number one Sinner wins or thumbs down for defending champion Alcaraz. Update: Date: 21:50 BST 6 June Title: Get Involved Content: #bbctennis, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply) The way Djokovic played as a 38-year-old just shows me how far away Sinner is to his level at his peak. Best male tennis player to grace the game. To be the sixth best player in the world at his age is an indictment on the talent pool at the moment. Lauren, Oldham Update: Date: 21:47 BST 6 June Title: 'My head-to-head doesn't look great against Carlos' Content: Sinner 6-4 7-5 7-6 (7-3) Djokovic Jannik Sinner on facing Carlos Alcaraz in the final: "My head-to-head lately doesn't look great against Carlos, but let's see what I can do. "I am happy to be here in the final, and we will see what we can do. "Of course, I enjoy these moments. These are rare and special moments in my career. "This is a special place for me. Thank you for being so nice to me throughout the full tournament." Update: Date: 21:42 BST 6 June Title: 'Djokovic is the best player in the history of our sport' Content: Sinner 6-4 7-5 7-6 (7-3) Djokovic Jannik Sinner on his win: "Well, first of all, thank you so much for coming and for supporting us, me and Novak. "It was such a special occasion for me playing against Novak in a semi-final of a Grand Slam. "It was so amazing, I had to step up and play the best tennis I could. It shows again what a role model for all of us, especially for young players. "What he is doing is incredible. I wish him only the best for the rest of the season. We are so lucky to see him play high-level tennis. "He achieved so many things. He is the best player in the history of our sport. Playing against him here is amazing. "Of course, I tried not to think about this, but before you're on court you feel the tension. I tried to prepare myself in the best possible way. "I am very happy with how I did that today." Update: Date: 21:41 BST 6 June Title: Post Content: Sinner 6-4 7-5 7-6 (7-3) Djokovic Jannik Sinner now boasts four successive wins over Novak Djokovic, dating back to November 2023. He is yet to drop a set at this year's French Open and will delighted to have seen off Novak Djokovic in straight sets as he now switches his attention to Carlos Alcaraz. Let's hear from the Italian. Update: Date: 21:37 BST 6 June Title: Stunning Sinner Content: Sinner 6-4 7-5 7-6 (7-3) Djokovic Jannik Sinner is just the second Italian in the Open era to reach the men's singles final at Roland Garros after Adriano Panatta in 1976. The 23-year-old is the youngest player to reach three consecutive men's singles finals at Grand Slams since Pete Sampras in 1994. He is also the first player to reach eight consecutive ATP-level event finals since Novak Djokovic did so in 2015. Update: Date: 21:35 BST 6 June Title: Post Content: Sinner 6-4 7-5 7-6 (7-3) Djokovic Novak Djokovic's quest for a standalone record 25th Grand Slam goes now switches to Wimbledon next month. The Serb just couldn't find a way to chip away at world number one Jannik Sinner this evening. He took his bag off and took a moment to wave at the crowd before leaving Philippe Chatrier. Was it a farewell? Will we see him again at the French Open? Update: Date: 21:31 BST 6 June Title: 'Take a bow Djokovic' Content: Sinner 6-4 7-5 7-6 (7-3) Djokovic Andrea PetkovicFormer world number nine on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds Those were three hard-fought sets. High quality sets and take a bow Novak Djokovic. The way he played today, I think he should be in the circle of contenders at Wimbledon. Update: Date: 21:30 BST 6 June Title: Sinner reaches French Open Final Content: Sinner 6-4 7-5 7-6 (7-3) Djokovic Novak Djokovic puts into the net and Jannik Sinner is through to his first French Open final. Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz awaits. Changing of the guard? Update: Date: 21:28 BST 6 June Title: Tie-break Content: *Sinner 6-4 7-5 6-6 (6-2) Djokovic Novak Djokovic goes long and Jannik Sinner has four match points. Update: Date: 21:26 BST 6 June Title: Post Content: Sinner 6-4 7-5 6-6 (5-2) Djokovic* Andrea PetkovicFormer world number nine on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds It's like in football when you have a team pressing on you and at one point you will make a mistake. That's how it feels to play Jannik Sinner. Update: Date: 21:26 BST 6 June Title: Tie-break Content: Sinner 6-4 7-5 6-6 (5-2) Djokovic* Jannik Sinner with a booming forehand and Novak Djokovic, forced deep behind the baseline, can only return into the net. Djokovic needs a break back quickly or his dream of winning a 25th Grand Slam title will be put on pause until Wimbledon. A couple of holds and Sinner is firmly in control. Update: Date: 21:25 BST 6 June Title: Get Involved Content: #bbctennis, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply) Before this ends and we give Sinner his rightful plaudits. A word for Djokovic at 38 years of age, still fighting with the best young player in the world and battling like he's the same age. Too disliked in his time, he will be better recognised once he's gone. Zac Update: Date: 21:24 BST 6 June Title: Tie-break Content: *Sinner 6-4 7-5 6-6 (3-2) Djokovic Back on serve and Novak Djokovic quickly moves on from that error. A couple of points in the bag will do his mood the world of good. Update: Date: 21:23 BST 6 June Title: 'Djokovic stopped moving his feet' Content: Sinner 6-4 7-5 6-6 (3-0) Djokovic* Andrea PetkovicFormer world number nine on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds We just had a replay and Novak Djokovic stopped moving his feet. Update: Date: 21:23 BST 6 June Title: Tie-break Content: Sinner 6-4 7-5 6-6 (3-0) Djokovic* Jannik Sinner with another wide serve to extend his lead. Oh no. Novak Djokovic is teed up with the easiest of shots to volley but he gets it's all wrong and it's straight into the net.


Daily Mail
5 hours ago
- Daily Mail
England are dealt injury blow on the eve of Andorra World Cup qualifier as striker flies home with thigh problem
Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins has flown home injured from England 's World Cup qualifying camp in Spain. Watkins will play no part in tomorrow's qualifier against Andorra at Espanyol's RCDE Stadium after feeling tightness at the top of his thigh. He is also out of Tuesday's friendly with Senegal at the City Ground in Nottingham. The 29-year-old was hoping to add to his 18 caps and five goals but has been unable to train filly during England's week long camp in Girona. He will not be replaced in the squad. In Friday's press-conference, Tuchel said Jordan Pickford is his No 1 goalkeeper for now but has warned that the race for World Cup selection has begun, amid pressure from Dean Henderson. He said: 'Jordan has been in goal for a long, long time. He earned his place with consistent performances at a high level. Jordan trains at the highest level and we're very, very happy with him. 'He's doing everything to keep his place because he feels that Dean stepped up and found another gear. Dean got a vital title for Palace (the FA Cup) and he was a big figure. This helped his confidence a lot. 'Then we have the very young James Trafford who played a fantastic, record-breaking campaign with Burnley and got clean sheets. 'Hopefully he can prove himself in the Premier League next season and then the race is on. It is a fight for every position, there is no exception for goalkeepers.'