FC Barcelona is set to stage its opening 2025-26 LaLiga home fixture against Valencia on 13 or 14 September at the Estadi Johan Cruyff after delays to renovation work at the Spotify Camp Nou. LaLiga inspectors visited the 6,000-seat ground this week and, according to people familiar with the process, are prepared to grant a one-off exemption from the league’s 15,000-seat minimum, provided broadcast and VAR facilities are installed in time. Barcelona considered Montjuïc and Girona’s Montilivi, but both sites were unavailable on the required dates. Camp Nou is still awaiting an occupancy licence from the city council, leaving the Johan Cruyff venue—normally used by the women’s and reserve teams—as the club’s only viable option for the league opener. The stadium switch increases pressure on the Catalan side to finalise arrangements for European competition. UEFA is expected to let Barcelona play its first Champions League league-phase match away from home, yet the club must confirm by 21 September where it will host subsequent fixtures. Vice-president Rafael Yuste said the decision would be announced “at the appropriate time.” Separately, UEFA’s Executive Committee will rule on 11 September on a joint LaLiga and club request to move December’s Villarreal-Barcelona league match to Miami. UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin signalled scepticism, stating that “European teams should play in Europe.”