After 894 long days, FC Barcelona finally came home. On Friday afternoon, more than 22,000 fans filled the newly renovated Spotify Camp Nou to witness an open training session that felt more like a celebration than a workout. Tickets sold out two days in advance, and thousands more tuned in to the club's official YouTube channel. For the first time since 2023, chants, flags, and the electric hum of anticipation returned to Les Corts. Barcelona 92-101 Real Madrid | Euroliga (J9) Under the guidance of coach Hansi Flick, the players stepped out onto the pristine new turf as the Barcelona anthem echoed around the stadium. The crowd erupted in applause, and for many players, it was their first time inside the modernized arena. Young talents such as Marc Casadó, Fermín López, Pau Cubarsí, and Dani Olmo joined new signings Rony Bardghji and Juan García in experiencing the new Camp Nou for the very first time. FC Barcelona: A homecoming two years in the making Barcelona have not played a competitive match at Camp Nou since mid-2023, when they temporarily moved to the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys during the 1.5 billion renovation. The open training served as both a test event and a thank-you to the fans who waited patiently through construction and delays. President Joan Laporta confirmed that the goal is to host Athletic Club on November 22, pending final approval from the City Council. For now, the stadium is licensed to welcome 25,991 spectators, with capacity expected to increase to around 45,000 once safety clearances are finalized. https://twitter.com/USER_ID/status/1986812139965678053 The renovation is part of the Espai Barça project, a multi-year plan to transform the club's facilities. According to FCBarcelona.com, construction will continue until 2027, when the finished Camp Nou will hold 105,000 fans, making it the largest stadium in Europe. A symbolic return for the city and the club Friday's event represented more than just a team returning to its home ground. It was a statement of identity. The Olímpic provided a temporary home, but the Camp Nou remains the heart of Barcelona's footballing soul. The reopening has been viewed across Europe as a milestone in stadium redevelopment and club modernization. The afternoon ended with Flick and his players applauding the fans, who responded with the kind of thunderous ovation that only Camp Nou can produce. It was not about tactics or drills. It was about belonging again. After two long years away, Barcelona finally have their home back.
