FC Barcelona have officially received approval from the city council to reopen nearly half of the seating areas at the legendary Camp Nou. This decision clears the way for the club to host its first match at the renovated stadium as early as this weekend.

On Saturday, 22 November, Barcelona will face Athletic Bilbao in a crucial La Liga fixture. With just under half of the stands operational, the stadium will welcome approximately 45,000 supporters — the maximum number deemed safe at this stage of reconstruction.

The club’s long-awaited return to their iconic home had been postponed several times. Initially, the city council withheld permission altogether. A later license allowed only 23,000 spectators, a figure that Barcelona considered insufficient for a meaningful reopening.

Now, after nearly two years away, football is finally returning to Camp Nou. However, a full-scale reopening of what is traditionally Europe’s largest stadium remains without a confirmed date.