World Sports: Barcelona advances the 1C phase license of Camp Nou, Biba may accommodate 62,000 spectators

World Sports reported that the renovation project of the Camp Nou stadium continues to advance, and some areas are expected to be completed by the end of the year.

The Barcelona City Council has issued the first phase of the occupancy permit on Monday, allowing the east side stand to be opened to the public for Saturday's match against Athletic Bilbao. Despite this, cranes continue to work to speed up the construction of the area outside the north end goal area as well as the construction of the third tier of stands.

Most work will be suspended on Friday, and the opening of the northern goal area facing the old Masia training base is part of the first phase C, which can accommodate 62,000 fans. As FC Barcelona operations director Joan Centres told RAC 1 and Radio Catalunya, the aim is to obtain approval from municipal authorities before the end of the year. Taking into account that the last game in 2025 is against Osasuna on December 13, the first game with a complete first and second tier of stands will be January 14 (if Barcelona advances to the last 16 of the Copa del Rey and is drawn at home) or January 25 against Real Oviedo. Due to the Christmas holidays and the Spanish Super Cup being held in Saudi Arabia, no games will be played in Barcelona for a month or more during this period.

At the same time, with the installation of the prefabricated structure, the third-level stands gradually showed the color of white cement, especially in the side stands. The stadium is also progressing with the construction of a double-layered VIP ring area between the second and third-level stands. The possibility that some facilities will start operating in the second half of the season cannot be ruled out.

As for Saturday's game against Athletic Bilbao, the cheering stands below the south end goal area are not yet open. The club is in the process of finalizing its membership list. Banners are also being considered in the north end goal area to avoid the empty feeling seen when games are played behind closed doors during the pandemic.

The new expanded press conference room has not yet been completed, but Flick and Ernesto Valverde will hold a press conference after the game in the temporarily opened 1899 Auditorium.