FC Barcelona find themselves navigating a complex terrain in the 2025–26 season — balancing high sporting ambitions on the pitch with mounting financial and infrastructural pressures off it.
On the field, Barcelona’s resurgence under Hansi Flick has been noteworthy. The team secured both the domestic league title and the national cup in the previous season, marking a return to form for the storied club.
They now enter the new campaign with renewed confidence, a young core of talent emerging from the famed La Masia academy, and an intent to reclaim their status among Europe’s elite.
However, the club’s own historic home, the Spotify Camp Nou, remains caught in limbo. Originally scheduled to reopen its doors to fans earlier this year after major redevelopment, the stadium’s return has been delayed yet again. According to reports, the earliest realistic date for hosting matches is now November 2025, with the rebuilding costs and permit delays dragging on.
As a result, Barcelona has had to play home fixtures at alternative venues, reducing match-day revenue and unsettling fan routines.
Off the pitch, the financial situation looms large. Recent disclosures show the club still owes approximately £138 million in outstanding transfer fees to other clubs, a figure markedly higher than the previous year.
Much of this debt is linked to high-profile signings made during previous windows, including Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, and Jules Koundé. While revenue has improved, the backlog of payments and reliance on future income streams present ongoing risk.
Despite the headwinds, Barcelona remains resolute. The club recently secured a looming five-year sponsorship deal with Chinese appliance giant Midea, set to commence in the 2026–27 season — a move designed to bolster commercial income and underpin future stability.
Meanwhile, Flick’s squad is focusing hard on delivering results, keeping the club’s sporting momentum alive even as infrastructure and finance swirl around them.
For Barcelona, the 2025-26 season is shaping up to be a pivotal one. If they can maintain strong performances on the pitch while managing the return to Camp Nou and stabilising finances, the club may be entering a new era. But the balancing act is real: performance must match promise, and the promises must be delivered — both in the stands and on the books.