Key Takeaways:
- Barcelona confirmed on Tuesday that their opening home fixture against Valencia this Sunday evening will not be played at Camp Nou
- The encounter will instead take place at the 6,000-capacity Estadi Johan Cruyff, marking one of the lowest ever attendances in La Liga history
- Institutional Vice-President Elena Fort indicated that Barcelona are not expected to return to Camp Nou until at least October
Change of Venue Announced Ahead of Valencia Clash
Barcelona have revealed just five days before their scheduled La Liga opener at home that they will not host Valencia at Camp Nou as initially planned. Instead, the fixture is set for the Estadi Johan Cruyff, situated within Barcelona’s training complex. This ground, typically home to Barcelona Femeni and Barca Atletic, will now witness a top-flight men’s league match due to ongoing stadium developments.
The club’s decision has generated discontent amongst Valencia supporters, who face exclusion from attending the match because of strict ticketing prioritisation for Barcelona members and the limited capacity of the alternative venue. Even at full occupancy, the match is poised to register one of the smallest crowds ever recorded in La Liga.
Barcelona have announced their first home game of the season vs. Valencia Sunday will be played at the 6,000-seater Estadi Johan Cruyff.
The wait for the Camp Nou to reopen goes on ⌛️ pic.twitter.com/j96Z3KQevL
— B/R Football (@brfootball) September 9, 2025
Historical Context: Smallest Grounds in La Liga
Prior to this unusual move, the smallest La Liga crowds were at Eibar’s Ipurua (capacity: 6,267) and Huesca’s El Alcoraz, which theoretically accommodated 5,000 but expanded to 8,000 during the club’s spell in the top division. Additionally, during renovation works at the Santiago Bernabeu, Real Madrid played at the Estadio Alfredo di Stefano, which holds only 5,700, although these matches took place behind closed doors without fans.
Among current top-flight venues, aside from Barcelona’s temporary arrangement at the Johan Cruyff, Getafe’s Coliseum leads for lowest capacity, operating with a restriction of 11,000 spectators as the club undertakes its own renovation works.
| Ground | Club | Capacity | Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Estadi Johan Cruyff | Barcelona (vs Valencia) | 6,000 | Temporary home due to Camp Nou works |
| Ipurua | Eibar | 6,267 | Used during seven-year La Liga stay |
| El Alcoraz | Huesca | 5,000-8,000 | Expanded during La Liga tenure |
| Estadio Alfredo di Stefano | Real Madrid | 5,700 | Hosted closed-doors games during renovations |
| Coliseum | Getafe | 11,000 | Reduced capacity for stadium works |
Barcelona’s Record Attendances and Timeline for Camp Nou Return
Remarkably, Barcelona also hold La Liga’s highest ever attendance, having once attracted 125,000 supporters at Camp Nou prior to the implementation of all-seater regulations. The current predicament is particularly concerning for the club, as Institutional Vice-President Elena Fort has admitted that uncertainty remains regarding the timeline for their return to Camp Nou, with October now appearing the earliest realistic date. This marks a shift from previous plans, which targeted an early August comeback to their iconic home.
