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Workers install VAR at 'forbidden' stadium as Barcelona prepare for home clash
Sep 09 2025 13:38 · By Tony Robertson/Tony Robertson
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BARCELONA are preparing to host LaLiga rivals Valencia at a "forbidden" stadium.
It comes with their usual home, the Camp Nou , still undergoing a major revamp - long after the originally planned opening in November 2024.
5 Barcelona are set to host Valencia at the Johan Cruyff Stadium Credit: Getty
5 Workers were seen installing LaLiga rule compliant VAR cameras at the ground Credit: SPORT.ES
5 The league will make a special grant for the club to host the game there Credit: SPORT.ES
5 That is because the 6,000 capacity is far below the usual league requirements of 15,000 Credit: Getty
5 The Camp Nou is still undergoing major construction works and will not be fully completed for another season at least Credit: AFP
As a result, the Blaugrana were given special permission to play their first three games of the LaLiga season away from home.
However, this weekend Barca are now set to host their first match of the season.
Over the last two seasons, the club had been playing at the Olympic Stadium.
But before the clash with Valencia on Sunday, Barcelona began work to fulfil league requirements to play matches at their Women's and B-team stadium, the Johan Cruyff Stadium.
Pictures from inside the ground showed workers installing new VAR cameras and a new fibre connection in line with LaLiga regulations.
However, as reported by Sport , LaLiga chiefs will have to grant Barcelona special permission to host the game at the stadium.
That's because league rules state stadium capacities must be at least 15,000.
But the Johan Cruyff Stadium has a spectator capacity of just 6,000.
The ground has already hosted one men's game this season, with the pre-season Joan Gamper Trophy against Como being played there a month ago.
Barcelona will need to be granted a First Occupation License by the Barcelona City Council to host games at the Camp Nou again.
Work on the stadium is now not due to be completed in full until the start of the 2026/27 season, when the Camp Nou will have a mega-capacity of 105,000.
But when it reopens before then, the capacity is expected to be capped at around 20,000 to 30,000.
Hansi Flick's defending Spanish title champions were unbeaten before the international break, with two wins and a draw on the road.