The council informs Barça that it will not grant partial licences for the third tier, unlike what was done with the first two tiers. The decision keeps the capacity at 62,600 seats and delays the club's forecasts.
The Barcelona City Council has communicated to FC Barcelona that it will only grant one licence for the third tier of the Spotify Camp Nou, with no possibility of opening it in phases. This measure contrasts with the procedure applied to the first two stands, which were opened progressively in three stages after the council modified the existing regulations.
The club, presided over by Joan Laporta, aimed to reach 72,000 spectators by the end of 2026, 82,000 by early 2027, and nearly 90,000 seats by April or May of next year. With the municipal refusal, those figures are now uncertain, and the capacity will remain at the current 62,600 seats for much of the 2026-27 season.
The municipal refusal is based on the criteria of the technicians, who prioritise safety in access and evacuations while construction continues. According to sources from the council, the local government of Jaume Collboni (PSC) relies on these reports to avoid accelerating the opening of the third tier.
“I have never received so much pressure for the granting of a licence,” said technicians from the Barcelona City Council.
This pressure, according to the same sources, stemmed from public statements made by president Joan Laporta and institutional vice-president Elena Fort, which caused discomfort in municipal offices. The technicians insist that access to the stadium is slow and exits are complicated, especially during matches with large crowds.
The economic impact for Barça is direct. The club had planned extraordinary income from the increase in capacity, and the refusal to grant partial licences delays that return. Additionally, Goldman Sachs, investor in the Espai Barça loan and financial advisor to the entity, has set a joint schedule with the construction company Limak to complete the works, which affects the ability to repay the capital.
The only immediate growth avenue for Camp Nou in the 2026-27 season will be the opening of the two rings of VIP boxes, with 9,500 luxury seats that were supposed to be operational since January 1. Until then, members and fans will continue with the current capacity and the same access restrictions.
The Barcelona City Council has not set a specific date for granting the single licence for the third tier. Municipal sources explain that the decision is contingent on the progress of the works and the improvement of safety protocols, so the scenario could be reviewed throughout the next season.
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