Barcelona Receive Green Light from Messi’s Camp for Tribute Match at Spotify Camp Nou in 2026/27FC Barcelona is laying the groundwork for a landmark event: the full-capacity reopening of the renovated Spotify Camp Nou for the 2026/27 season.
Central to these plans is a tribute match for Lionel Messi — the club’s most iconic player — in what would mark a historic and emotional reunion between the Argentine legend and the club where he spent the majority of his professional career.
According to Catalunya Ràdio, initial discussions have already taken place between the club and Messi’s representatives, and the response has been positive.
While official details and logistics are still under negotiation, Messi’s camp has reportedly given preliminary approval for a tribute fixture, paving the way for what many hope will be a long-overdue farewell in front of a packed Camp Nou crowd.
This initiative is part of the club’s vision to properly honor Messi after his unexpected and emotional departure in the summer of 2021.
His exit — a consequence of Barcelona’s financial crisis at the time — left many wounds within the club and among supporters.
The proposed tribute would serve not only as a celebration of his immense legacy but also as a symbolic act of closure and reconciliation.
The Stadium TimelineBefore reaching this full-scale reopening, the newly renovated Spotify Camp Nou will gradually return to operation.
The first official match at the stadium is scheduled for August 10, 2025, as part of the Joan Gamper Trophy.
However, attendance at that point will be restricted, with capacity estimates ranging between 28,000 and 35,000 seats due to ongoing construction and phased access.
Later in the 2025/26 campaign, Barcelona intends to submit formal requests to increase capacity to approximately 60,000 spectators for both La Liga and UEFA Champions League matches.
This expansion will mark a major step toward full functionality but will not yet represent the stadium’s complete transformation.
The full inauguration is being reserved for the 2026/27 season, once all structural upgrades — including the roof installation — are finalized.
Club executives see this occasion as the ideal moment to host a tribute match in Messi’s honor, welcoming him back to the stadium where he created so many unforgettable memories across nearly two decades.A Tribute to a LegendLionel Messi’s contributions to FC Barcelona are unparalleled.
Across his 18-year tenure with the first team, he amassed 672 goals in 778 appearances, won four UEFA Champions League titles, ten La Liga titles, and countless individual accolades. Beyond the statistics, Messi became the face of an era defined by beautiful football and global success.
Bringing him back for a farewell match would not only give supporters the chance to express their gratitude but also allow the club to publicly acknowledge Messi’s place as the greatest player in its history.
If finalized, this tribute will likely be one of the most emotionally charged events in modern football —
a fitting celebration to coincide with the beginning of a new chapter at Spotify Camp Nou.