After more than two years of waiting, FC Barcelona has officially received initial approval to reopen the iconic Camp Nou — but the club is choosing to hold off on returning just yet.

The Barcelona City Council is set to issue the long-anticipated first occupancy permit today, authorising use of the stadium under Phase 1A of reconstruction. This would allow the venue to host up to 27,000 spectators, limited to the lower tiers and the southern end of the ground.

Barcelona has reportedly addressed all safety concerns and could, from a legal standpoint, open the gates immediately. However, the club has decided to wait a few more weeks, aiming for a grander reopening with increased capacity.

The Blaugrana have been pushing for this approval since September, when initial inspections flagged several issues. These have now been resolved, paving the way for a gradual return to their spiritual home — though construction work remains ongoing at full pace.

The next milestone is securing a Phase 1B permit, which would expand the stadium’s capacity to approximately 45,000 fans, allowing use of the full south stand, lateral sections, and more public areas. Until then, Barcelona will continue to host matches at the temporary Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys.