GLOBAL – In a significant move for European football, the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) has granted FC Barcelona special permission to host its upcoming Champions League matches at the partially renovated Spotify Camp Nou. The decision, announced on Wednesday, 19 November 2025, provides an exemption to UEFA regulations which typically require a club to use a single home stadium for the duration of a season's competition.

The Spanish champions are now set to host Eintracht Frankfurt on Tuesday, 9 December 2025, at their iconic home ground, marking their first European night at the stadium since October 2022. This follows their domestic La Liga return to the venue, scheduled for Saturday, 22 November 2025, against Athletic Bilbao. Barcelona argued that the stadium change was a necessity due to the extensive renovation works and not a move to gain a competitive advantage, an argument UEFA has accepted.

The Espai Barça Project

The renovation is part of the ambitious €1.5 billion ($1.75 billion) 'Espai Barça' project, a comprehensive overhaul of the club's facilities. Work on the Camp Nou began in June 2023, forcing the club to play its home fixtures at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys in Montjuïc, a municipally-owned stadium with a smaller capacity. The project aims to increase the stadium's capacity from approximately 99,000 to 105,000, making it the largest in Europe. The full completion of all renovation works, including a new roof, is now anticipated by the end of 2027.

The project has faced multiple delays due to construction and permit issues, pushing the reopening back from an initial target of November 2024 which was meant to coincide with the club's 125th anniversary. These delays have had significant financial implications for the heavily indebted club, which relies on matchday and stadium-related revenue. At the start of the current season, Barcelona had to play some matches at their 6,000-capacity Johan Cruyff training ground due to safety permit failures for their temporary home.

Implications for Kenya and East Africa

While the decision was made in Europe, its impact resonates strongly across Kenya and the wider East African region, where FC Barcelona and the UEFA Champions League command a massive following. European football is a cultural staple for millions of Kenyans, with fans gathering in homes, pubs, and viewing centres to watch their favourite teams. Barcelona, alongside other European giants, is one of the most passionately supported clubs in the country.

The return to a modernised, albeit partially open, Camp Nou is a major event for this fanbase. The initial reopening will be at a reduced capacity of 45,401 spectators, with plans to increase this to over 62,000 by early 2026 as more sections are completed. The move is seen as a step towards restoring the club's formidable home advantage, a factor keenly debated by fans and sports analysts in Kenya. The development is also closely watched by the local sports betting industry, where the performance of top clubs like Barcelona is a significant driver of activity.

UEFA's flexibility in this matter underscores the commercial and cultural importance of football's super-clubs. By allowing Barcelona to return to its historic home mid-season, the governing body acknowledges the unique circumstances of the large-scale renovation. The club confirmed in a statement that UEFA accepted the request after "considering that all the necessary requirements have been met." This decision sets a precedent and will be a major boost for the club's morale and finances as it navigates a challenging period of transition both on and off the pitch.