Laporta says Spotify Camp Nou revamp will cost club "less than budgeted"

FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta gave an interview to 'La Vanguardia' in which he reviewed the club's current affairs. Among other issues, Laporta spoke at length about the remodelling of Spotify Camp Nou within the framework of the Espai Barça.

"Next year will not be easy. We are moving to a stadium that has half the capacity of Camp Nou. This will generate a reduction in income but we are working to compensate for this by looking for more sponsors. The budget we have for next year in sponsors is already 95% covered and we will be able to get more revenue," he explained in the interview.

Spotify Camp Nou will reopen in November 2024 at 70% capacity, coinciding with the 125th anniversary of the club's history. Also due to reopen at the same time are the FCB Botiga, the museum and much of the VIP seating.

To date, however, only 15,000 members have applied for their season ticket for the men's first team matches at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys de Montjuïc, out of the 27,000 reserved for them.

"Going up to the Montjuïc stadium is uncomfortable, although I don't find it so uncomfortable. We all have an established routine in our lives. We also associate Montjuïc with going to concerts," added Laporta.

In spite of this, the club has opened up the sales to general members and 'Jan' is "optimistic": "I think we'll reach 27,000."

Timing and budget

Likewise, if the deadlines are not met, "there will be economic consequences for Limak (the construction company)" which, in the worst-case scenario, could amount to "€1 million euros per day of delay."

However, the Barça president is sure that "it won't happen because they work at a very good pace and always meet the deadlines for their work; it is one of their strong points."

In this sense, Laporta has expressed his confidence in reducing the amount budgeted for the remodelling of Spotify Camp Nou.

"I believe that we are going to reduce the budgeted amount for the stadium and for contingencies -- in fact, it is already happening," he said. "We are very much on top of cutting the €1.1 billion that was said. I think we are going to be at 960 million and maybe 930 million if everything goes well. And I don't think the Palau will reach €200 million."

The reason? "We have to bear in mind that we signed flexible interest rates in some parts of the operation. This means that we will be able to change those interests depending on whether the market gives us better prices," argued the president of FC Barcelona.