Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys: Barça’s Temp Stadium Guide

For two seasons, Barcelona abandoned its iconic Camp Nou for Montjuïc—a temporary exile that surprised even lifelong fans. The club left its legendary stadium in May 2023 and didn’t return until November 2025, settling into a different Olympic venue that had hosted the 1992 Games. The Espai Barça renovation project forced the move, but it also reshaped how the club operates game by game, and the ripple effects stretch all the way to 2027.

Capacity: 55,926 seats ·
Location: Montjuïc hill, Barcelona, Spain ·
Built: 1929 ·
Olympic Renovation: 1992 ·
Current Use: FC Barcelona temporary home

Why is Barcelona playing at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys?

FC Barcelona departed Camp Nou after their final home match on May 28, 2023, when demolition of the stadium’s third tier commenced in July of that year (Barcelona Hacks). The Espai Barça project, a €1.5 billion initiative that includes the Camp Nou renovation, required the club to find an interim home while construction phases unfolded. Barcelona played the 2023/24 and 2024/25 seasons at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys on Montjuïc hill, roughly 5 kilometers from Camp Nou.

The renovation started at the end of the 2022/23 season, with full Camp Nou completion initially planned for June 2026. However, delays pushed the timeline back repeatedly — the return to Camp Nou was pushed from 2024 to the 2025/26 season, then confirmed for November 2025. In November 2024, Barcelona confirmed their stay at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys until at least February 2025, extending even longer as complications arose.

Why this matters: The renovation cost €900 million as part of the broader Espai Barça project, and the extended temporary relocation added complexity to everything from season-ticket holder communications to transport logistics for away fans and broadcast operations.

Where is Barcelona’s temporary stadium?

Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys sits on Montjuïc hill in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain — the same area that hosted athletics, football finals, and the opening ceremony during the 1992 Summer Olympics. The address places the stadium within Barcelona’s historic exhibition grounds, near the Palau Nacional and the teleférico cable car system that climbs from the city below.

The stadium’s spec sheet reveals its dual nature: an historic venue rebuilt for elite sport, now temporarily repurposed for top-flight football.

The implication: Even at reduced seating, the Olympic stadium dwarfs the 6,000-capacity Johan Cruyff venue Barcelona may use as its next temporary home.

The stadium originally opened in 1929 for the International Exposition and was significantly renovated ahead of the 1992 Olympics, when it served as the primary athletics venue. The facility features a UNESCO-heritage zone nearby, making match-day visits a blend of football and cultural tourism for visitors unfamiliar with the city.

Getting there from central Barcelona

Metro line L3 (green) runs to Poble Sec station, a 10-minute walk from the stadium entrance. Multiple bus routes service the Montjuïc area, including lines 55, 150, and the Audiovisual line connecting the MNAC museum stop directly to the stadium gates. Visitors driving from elsewhere in Catalonia should note that parking near Montjuïc is limited on match days — public transport is the recommended option.

Will Camp Nou be open in 2026?

Barcelona returned to Camp Nou on November 22, 2025, with a 4-0 victory over Athletic Club, marking the end of the 2.5-year exile from their primary stadium (Football Ground Guide). However, the stadium currently operates at reduced capacity of 62,000 seats — far below its pre-renovation figure and the eventual target of 105,000 seats upon full completion.

The renovation timeline has faced repeated setbacks. President Joan Laporta stated that the stadium should be completed by 2027, with roof installation requiring four months of inactivity that forces the club to relocate again at the start of the 2027/28 season (Goal.com). The Espai Barça project’s third tier is scheduled for completion by April 2027, followed by the roof work that will require removing the pitch entirely.

The pattern: Barcelona’s return to full Camp Nou capacity depends on completing the third tier by April 2027, then clearing the stadium for a four-month roof installation window. The 360-degree roof being installed is designed to enable year-round events at the stadium — a feature that requires the complete pitch removal and replacement during the installation period.

How to get to Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys?

Public transport options

The most reliable route involves taking Barcelona Metro Line 3 (L3, green line) to Poble Sec station, then walking uphill along Avinguda del Paral·lel for approximately 10 minutes. The walk includes some steep sections near the end, so comfortable shoes are advisable, especially for visitors not used to Montjuïc’s topography.

Driving and parking

Visitors arriving by car should expect limited parking in the immediate Montjuïc area. The recommended approach is to park in central Barcelona or at one of the metro interchange lots, then complete the journey by public transport. During concerts — the stadium hosts music events like the Post Malone show that conflicted with some Barcelona fixtures — traffic management becomes more complex, and match scheduling can be affected (Football Ground Guide).

• Metro: L3 to Poble Sec, then 10-minute walk
• Bus: Lines 55, 150, and Audiovisual to MNAC stop
• Taxi: Approximately €15–20 from central Barcelona, subject to traffic near the hill
• Cable car: Teleférico de Montjuïc connects to the Paral·lel area, adding a scenic element to the journey

Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys seating plan and specs

The stadium offers 55,926 seats for football matches, a figure that temporarily swelled to 67,007 during the 1992 Olympics when standing room was included. Modern seating configurations prioritize comfort over raw capacity, resulting in the lower current figure. The pitch maintains standard football dimensions — 105 meters by 68 meters — meeting UEFA requirements for top-tier competition.

Visitor access during renovation

The Camp Nou museum remains open throughout the renovation period, offering immersive tours that showcase the club’s history and future plans. About 1,800 workers were on site as of May/June 2025, according to Barcelona Hacks reporting, focusing on seat installation and wiring work. Visitors should confirm stadium access status before planning their trip, as construction zones may affect some entry points.

The Espai Barça timeline

The timeline reveals three distinct phases of disruption, each compounding the logistical burden on the club and its supporters.

The implication: With at least two more potential relocations ahead, season-ticket holders and sponsors must brace for ongoing uncertainty even after the November 2025 homecoming.

Key quotes from the renovation

“The stadium should be completed by 2027… It’s four months inactivity the stadium, and I believe it can be completed by the end of 2027.”

— Joan Laporta, FC Barcelona President (Goal.com)

Laporta also dismissed any return to Montjuïc, stating the club would instead work around La Liga and Champions League schedules — a preference that pits the club against the access issues that plagued its two-season stay at the Olympic stadium (Goal.com). However, reports indicate Barcelona is not ruling out a return to Montjuïc in 2027 should Johan Cruyff expansion or transport improvements fall behind schedule.

What comes next for Barcelona’s stadium situation

By late 2027, Barcelona expects to have a fully renovated Camp Nou capable of hosting 105,000 fans — a dramatic increase from the 62,000 seats currently available. The 360-degree roof installation, scheduled for summer 2027, represents the final major construction phase. Once completed, the Espai Barça project will have transformed the club’s home into one of the largest stadiums in world football.

For Barcelona fans, the Espai Barça project promises a world-class stadium by 2028, but the path there requires navigating two more potential relocations and accepting reduced capacities at critical moments in the season. The €1.5 billion investment carries long-term gains, yet the immediate cost to match-going supporters has been considerable.

Related reading: Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys history

The Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, profiled in this Barcelona’s temp home guide, has become FC Barcelona’s key venue while Camp Nou undergoes major renovations.

Frequently asked questions