Delay crisis at Camp Nou: Possibility of arbitration for Limak

The tension between Barcelona and Limak Holding regarding the schedule for the Camp Nou renovation project is growing. Following delays in the stadium construction, the club's management has announced that they will address responsibilities with the contractor once the project is completed.

The contract signed for the renovation work, which began on June 1, 2023, aimed for the project to be completed in 2026. However, the process has fallen behind the planned schedule. After being away from its stadium for a long time, Barcelona was able to return to Camp Nou with partial capacity in November 2025.

It is stated that the stadium has not yet reached the 105,000-person capacity envisioned in the contract, and that Barcelona is currently playing its home matches with a capacity of approximately 62,000 spectators. Design changes, additional licensing processes, restoration requirements, and disruptions in the global supply chain are cited among the reasons for the delay.

DELAY AND PENALTY DEBATE

According to the initial contract terms, a penalty of approximately 1 million euros, or 850,000 pounds, was to be applied to the contractor for each day the delivery date was missed. How this mechanism will be implemented as the project completion schedule extends has also become a subject of debate.

It is stated that the current delay is also reflected in the club's matchday revenues. While Limak's forecast expects full capacity to be operational in 2027, the Barcelona side's estimate points to the 2028-2029 season.

Barcelona Vice President Ferran Olivé emphasized in his statement at the club's Ordinary General Assembly that their priority is the completion of the stadium. Olivé said, "We must finish the stadium no matter what, and we are running late. Once the project is completed, we will have to settle accounts with Limak."

Olivé's words were interpreted in the Spanish press as a sign that the parties might head toward mediation or international arbitration once the project is finished. The club management is expected to evaluate the legal and financial aspects of the responsibilities arising from the delay after the construction is completed.

News Source: 12punto