Barcelona members have approved a further €510 million in financing to complete the redevelopment of Camp Nou, pushing the club’s total financial debt toward an estimated €2.6 billion and confirming that the first team will have to temporarily vacate the stadium once again next season.
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What Members Approved
The financing package, voted on over the weekend, is split into two parts. The first, worth €300 million, will fund the completion of construction work at Camp Nou and passed with 89% support. The second, worth €210 million, will be raised through two Media Notes issuances of €105 million each, secured against the club’s future audiovisual revenues, and passed with 85% support. The first of those two note issuances was already placed in July 2026, with the second scheduled for October or November this year.
In its own statement, Barcelona said the new financing was needed to “cover the economic impact caused by delays in the execution of the project,” rather than reflecting a fresh increase to the stadium’s construction budget itself.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| New Financing Approved | €510 million |
| Breakdown | €300m construction + €210m Media Notes |
| Vote | Barcelona’s 2026 Ordinary General Assembly |
| Total Club Debt (Estimated) | ~€2.6 billion |
| Espai Barça Project Cost (Estimated) | Nearing €2 billion |
| Relocation | Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys |
| Relocation Period | From mid-2027 to January 2028 |
| Planned Final Capacity | Over 104,000 seats |
A Debt Load Approaching €2.6 Billion
According to figures reported by The Athletic, Barcelona’s aggregate financial debt could now reach approximately €2.6 billion once the new financing is accounted for, a figure that includes roughly €1.8 billion tied specifically to the Espai Barça project. That would make Barcelona among the most indebted clubs in world football.
The Espai Barça redevelopment itself, which began in 2014, has seen its projected total cost balloon to nearly €2 billion, close to three times the original estimate when the project was first launched. The original financing structure, agreed in 2023, raised €1.485 billion from 20 investors, with repayments expected to be covered by additional stadium-related revenue projected at around €247 million a year once the venue is fully operational. Barcelona also refinanced €424 million of existing Espai Barça debt in 2025, restructuring repayments to begin in 2033 and run through to 2050.
Why Barcelona Are Leaving Camp Nou Again
Despite returning to a partially completed Camp Nou in November 2025 after roughly two years playing at the Olympic Stadium, Barcelona’s first team will have to relocate once more. Club treasurer Ferran Olivé confirmed at the assembly that the team will finish the current 2026-27 season at Camp Nou before moving to the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys in Montjuïc for the start of the 2027-28 campaign, to allow work to continue on the stadium’s new roof structure. The club expects to return permanently to Camp Nou in January 2028, for the second half of that season.
Camp Nou’s capacity currently sits at around 62,000 while renovation work continues, with the finished stadium projected to hold more than 104,000 spectators once construction is fully complete.
A Mixed Financial Picture
The vote comes even as Barcelona look to capitalise on the finished stadium’s commercial potential, with UEFA recently confirming Camp Nou as the host venue for the 2029 UEFA Champions League final. However, with construction delays continuing to add financial strain, members are being asked to weigh that long-term revenue potential against a rapidly growing debt burden in the short term.
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FAQs
How much new financing did Barcelona members approve for Camp Nou?
Members approved €510 million, split into €300 million for construction and €210 million raised through Media Notes.
How much debt does Barcelona now have in total?
Reported figures put the club’s aggregate financial debt at approximately €2.6 billion, including around €1.8 billion tied to the Espai Barça project.
Why is Barcelona leaving Camp Nou again next season?
The club needs to install the stadium’s new roof, requiring the team to temporarily relocate to the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys from around mid-2027 until January 2028.
What is Camp Nou’s planned final capacity?
The stadium is projected to hold more than 104,000 spectators once the Espai Barça redevelopment is fully completed.
Will Camp Nou host any major matches once complete?
Yes, UEFA has selected Camp Nou to host the 2029 UEFA Champions League final.
