New images of Nou Camp redevelopment show £1.3billion stadium still looking like a building site… as Barcelona boldly claim the iconic venue will host matches THIS YEAR

New images have shown extensive construction work at Barcelona‘s iconic Nou Camp as the club target playing matches at the venue this year.

After winning the LaLiga title in June 2023, the Catalan giants started work on their world-famous stadium as part of a £1.3bn renovation project.

The third tier of the stadium was demolished following the conclusion of last season as the project began to deliver a modernised 105,000 capacity stadium.

Latest images have shown work has continued on the remaining two tiers in the venue, where the playing surface having long since made way to become the centre of the construction.

Barcelona updated the the city’s Technical Architecture Association on the progress of the redevelopment this month.

Work has continued on the first and second tiers which Barcelona hope can host fans this year

Barcelona president Joan Laporta is confident the stadium is on track to host a match in December

Architects were shown that columns for the third tier of the venue are beginning to rise in the stadium, with pillars installed on the second level of the stadium.

Barcelona state that the entire structure of the new third tier being developed around the previous facade, designed by Francesc Mitjans, Jose Soteras and Lorenzo Garcia in 1957.

Repair works have also been made to the structure of the first and second tiers of the venue, with initial construction work taking place on the new lower rows in the first tier of the stadium.

Barcelona have remained confident that construction is on schedule, with president Joan Laporta insisting the club could still host matches in the Nou Camp this year.

Laporta told Mundo Deportivo that Barcelona are seeking to host a match in the Nou Camp before Christmas, with talks reportedly ongoing between the club and LaLiga.

The match would reportedly see the stadium operate with a 60 per cent capacity, with the first and second tiers of the stadium open.

Around 65,000 supporters would be able to attend the match under the plan, with the club also targeting having 50 per cent of VIP areas open.

The stadium’s capacity will increase to 105,000 when Barcelona’s iconic home is complete

Barcelona want the stadium ‘to become an architectural benchmark for the city and the world’

Barcelona moved out of the Camp Nou at the end of last season to begin the renovation work

Waterproofing of the stands is reportedly ongoing as Barcelona prepare to install seats ahead of potential matches in the venue at the end of this year.

Barcelona have aimed for the club to operate the stadium with a 90 per cent capacity during the 2025-26 season, while construction work continues on the third tier of the stadium.

The Catalan giants have been playing home matches at the  city’s 54,000 capacity Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys until their new stadium is ready to welcome them back. 

The Catalan giants, who have had well documented financial problems in recent years, are set to earn an extra £25m a year when the stadium is completed.

Barcelona’s stadium project will expand the capacity of the Nou Camp to 105,000 seats, as well as renovating the interiors, adding escalators, and upgrading the press room. 

Barcelona are hoping to complete the first phase of construction work in November to coincide with the 125th anniversary of the club (Pictured in January)

The Catalan giants are hoping to stage a match at around 60 per cent capacity in December

The match would use the first and second tiers, while the third would remain under construction

There will also be a roof for the first time, the largest one to be constructed in Europe. 

Images were released by the club last month of the final design of the stadium, which Barcelona have claimed will become an ‘an architectural benchmark for the city and for the world’.

Barcelona claim their Espai Barca project will deliver the largest sports and entertainment space in the middle of a major city in Europe, boosting tourism away from home matchdays.