Nou Camp Stadium Floods During Match Despite Massive Renovation
Barcelona's iconic Nou Camp stadium has suffered an embarrassing setback during its ongoing £1.25 billion renovation, with heavy rain flooding parts of the venue during Sunday's match against Real Oviedo. The downpour exposed significant flaws in the newly refurbished structure, leaving thousands of spectators, journalists and even club president Joan Laporta soaked through.
VIPs and Journalists Among Those Drenched
Despite sitting in corporate seating areas, president Joan Laporta and other VIP guests found themselves completely unprotected from the elements as rainwater poured through openings in the stadium structure. Spanish outlet Tribuna reported that the club's leadership received the same soaking treatment as ordinary fans in attendance.
Journalists covering the match were forced to take extraordinary measures to protect their equipment, with many donning waterproof jackets and raising umbrellas over their laptops as water filled walkways and concourses throughout the venue. Social media footage showed steady streams of water cascading through openings onto spectator areas, creating hazardous conditions throughout the stadium.
Fans Leave Early as Stadium Flaws Exposed
Approximately 45,000 fans attended Sunday's match, but many are believed to have left early as the extent of the flooding became apparent. The stadium's current reduced capacity of 45,000 represents less than half of its eventual planned capacity of 105,000 supporters once renovations are complete.
The timing of the flooding is particularly embarrassing for Barcelona, who only returned to the Nou Camp in November after spending two seasons playing at the nearby Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys. Their return was already delayed by a year due to construction complications, making Sunday's water infiltration particularly frustrating for supporters and club officials alike.
President Laporta Remains Optimistic Despite Setback
Despite the obvious problems, president Joan Laporta attempted to put a positive spin on the situation, describing the rain as "accompanying the victory" and calling it "like witnessing the rain's baptism at Camp Nou." He acknowledged that the stadium remains under construction and promised that any issues would be addressed promptly.
"We all got wet," Laporta admitted. "We knew it could happen, but in the end, the rain accompanied the victory. The stadium is under construction, and anything that needs to be fixed on the go, we will address. This is normal and will be resolved."
Renovation Timeline Faces Further Delays
The flooding incident comes as Barcelona faces additional delays in their renovation schedule. License 1C, which would allow the stadium to increase capacity to 62,000 spectators, was supposed to be ready at the beginning of January but has been postponed. Laporta expressed hope that the license might be secured in time for the upcoming match against Mallorca, but acknowledged the ongoing uncertainty.
The club has been racing against time to complete renovations and recapture lost revenue from reduced matchday earnings during their temporary relocation. The completed Nou Camp is expected to increase capacity from 99,000 to 105,000 supporters, significantly boosting the club's financial position once fully operational.
Stadium Modernisation Race With Real Madrid
The flooding incident highlights the challenges Barcelona faces in their stadium modernisation project, particularly when compared to rivals Real Madrid. The Bernabeu stadium in Madrid has undergone its own extensive renovation, emerging with a completely modern look including a retractable roof and recognition as the world's best stadium by the World Football Summit.
Barcelona's renovation project began in May 2023, forcing the team to play at the 1992 Olympic stadium while work progressed. The return to Nou Camp was meant to signal a new era for the club, but Sunday's flooding has raised questions about whether the renovation has adequately addressed fundamental structural issues.
As Barcelona continues their £1.25 billion stadium transformation, Sunday's events serve as a stark reminder that even the most ambitious renovation projects can encounter unexpected challenges when put to the test by natural elements.
