Barcelona’s Camp Nou Plagued by Leaks Amidst $2.5 Billion Renovation
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A costly and ambitious renovation of Barcelona’s iconic Camp Nou stadium has run into serious trouble, as heavy rainfall revealed significant construction flaws, sparking concerns about the project’s timeline and quality. The issues surfaced during a La Liga match against Real Oviedo on January 26, 2026, casting a shadow over the team’s 3-0 victory.
Rain Disrupts Play at Spotify Camp Nou
The problems at Spotify Camp Nou, as the stadium is now known, began after it partially reopened in November following the start of remodeling work in May 2023. Recent downpours exposed unfinished areas, leading to widespread leaks and prompting accusations of “poor construction.” Videos circulating on social media and reported by the British Mirror show rainwater cascading down hallways and turning walkways into streams.
Reporters covering the match were forced to work under makeshift conditions, donning raincoats and using umbrellas to protect their equipment. The deluge also impacted spectators, with reports indicating that many of the 45,000 fans in attendance left the game early seeking shelter. Even VIPs, including club President Joan Laporta, were reportedly soaked during the match.
Club President Downplays Concerns
Despite the visible issues, President Laporta attempted to project calm in a post-game interview. “We all got wet. We knew something like this could happen, but in the end, the rain went with the victory,” he stated. He went on to describe the situation as “like witnessing the baptism of rain at Camp Nou,” and assured the public that any necessary corrections would be addressed immediately.
Laporta acknowledged a delay in receiving the 1C license, which would allow for an increased stadium capacity of 62,000, originally expected in early January. He expressed optimism that the issue could be resolved before the upcoming match against Mallorca on February 8th.
Ambitious Expansion Faces Setbacks
The renovation aims to increase Camp Nou’s capacity from 99,000 to 105,000, surpassing the 90,000-seat capacity of England’s Wembley Stadium. Barcelona accelerated the stadium’s partial reopening to maximize revenue from matchday attendance. However, the recent weather events have jeopardized the club’s vision of creating “Europe’s greatest sacred site” and raised the specter of the stadium becoming known as a “leaky stadium.”
The situation has also drawn comparisons to Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu, which is widely regarded as one of the world’s best stadiums thanks to its modern, weather-protective roof. The contrast has reportedly stung the pride of Barcelona fans.
The renovation project carries an astronomical price tag of 1.25 billion pounds (approximately 2.4745 trillion won). The current issues raise questions about the project’s oversight and the potential for further delays and cost overruns.
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Kang Pil-ju ([email protected])
