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Barcelona have increased the pressure on Limak to keep the Spotify Camp Nou renovation on schedule, introducing new contractual penalty clauses that could even allow the club to appoint another construction company to install the stadium roof.
According to La Vanguardia, the measures have been introduced by Barcelona alongside the investors who advanced the financing for the project, which approaches €2 billion.
The concern is financial, as further delays could affect the club’s accounts and postpone the return of matchday revenue needed to recover the money invested in the redevelopment.
Barcelona set two crucial deadlines for Limak
The report identifies two important conditions attached to the new penalties.
The first requires the new Barça Botiga, which will replace the existing store, to be completed by January 2027, while the second requires at least 75% of the VIP seating to be fully prepared by March 31, 2027.
Barcelona have increased the pressure on the construction company responsible for Camp Nou redevelopment. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Failure to meet these deadlines could trigger a significant consequence: Barcelona would have the option of changing the construction company responsible for installing the stadium’s roof.
Both milestones are directly connected to the club’s commercial plans because the new store and VIP facilities are expected to contribute to matchday income, making their timely completion important before work on the roof begins.
Camp Nou roof project could involve another contractor
Barcelona’s current schedule envisages the roof installation beginning in June 2027, after the conclusion of the official football season. The work is expected to continue until October or November that year.
Consequently, the first team will return to the Estadi Olímpic Lluis Companys for the opening months of the 2027-28 campaign.
Barcelona have already reserved Montjuic until January 2028, when they hope to return to Camp Nou with capacity increased to approximately 95,000 spectators.
Barcelona have strict timelines for the Camp Nou. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
The stadium’s eventual planned capacity is 104,000.
Financial pressure behind Barcelona’s tougher approach
Notably, Barcelona previously had to reformulate their financial projections because of the reduced revenue generated while playing at Montjuic.
Another delay could therefore create similar difficulties and affect the financial planning for the subsequent stages of the redevelopment.
La Vanguardia also reports that Limak declined to comment on the new contractual measures.
Relations between the two parties remain publicly cordial, but Barcelona are understood to have alternative arrangements prepared should the deadlines not be respected.
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/barcelona-introduce-penalty-clauses-against-134000665.html
