Overview
- Only three stands opened for the homecoming under a phased licence, capping attendance at roughly 45,000, with plans reported to lift capacity toward 60,000 in coming months and 105,000 when complete.
- Robert Lewandowski scored the first goal at the refurbished stadium before Ferran Torres added a brace and Fermín López struck, sealing a 4-0 victory over Athletic Club.
- Athletic’s Oihan Sancet was dismissed after a VAR review for a foul on López, while returning goalkeeper Joan García helped Barcelona record their first clean sheet since September.
- Ticketing for the reopening drew backlash as non–season-ticket seats started around €199 and exceeded €500 in the main stand, with 24,000 season-ticket holders and roughly 21,000 one-off buyers in the crowd.
- Head coach Hansi Flick called it “the perfect day” as Barcelona moved provisionally top of LaLiga on goal difference before Real Madrid’s game.