Barcelona, November 7, 2025 – FC Barcelona, one of the world’s most iconic football clubs, is grappling with an unexpected health scare just as it prepares for its long-awaited return to the Spotify Camp Nou. A confirmed case of tuberculosis among workers renovating the stadium has triggered a public health investigation by the Barcelona Public Health Agency (ASPB), as first reported by the newspaper El País. While not yet classified as an official outbreak—which requires at least two linked cases—the incident has raised concerns, especially amid ongoing labor disputes and with a public event scheduled for Friday.
The case emerged on October 24, when a worker involved in the renovation of the 105,000-capacity venue began showing symptoms consistent with pulmonary tuberculosis. These include a persistent cough, fever, weight loss, and chronic fatigue, as outlined by the World Health Organization (WHO). The employee was immediately hospitalized and underwent medical testing, which confirmed the bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis is an airborne disease spread through inhaling tiny droplets expelled when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or speaks. It primarily affects the lungs but can spread to other organs such as glands, bones, or the nervous system. In most cases, it is treatable with a six-month course of antibiotics, with cure rates exceeding 85% when detected early, according to WHO data.
Health authorities responded swiftly. The ASPB activated its tuberculosis control protocol, which includes contact tracing of close associates. So far, samples from 23 coworkers—identified as part of the same work crew over recent weeks—have been analyzed. Results for three individuals are still pending, expected in the coming days. “It will not be considered an outbreak until at least two related cases are confirmed,” a source from the ASPB told ARA, stressing that the isolated case does not pose an immediate risk to the general public. However, those potentially exposed have been placed in precautionary quarantine, a standard measure given the disease’s high contagiousness in enclosed or poorly ventilated environments like construction sites.
The timing of the incident is particularly sensitive for Camp Nou, where the Espai Barça renovation project—one of the most ambitious and expensive in football history, with a budget of €1.25 billion—has already faced significant delays. Launched in 2023, the overhaul aims to modernize the stadium with sustainability upgrades, improved accessibility, and cutting-edge technology, including a retractable roof and expanded seating. However, by mid-October 2025, the project was 317 days behind schedule, according to union reports. The club hopes to partially reopen the stadium before year-end, starting with a reduced capacity of 45,000 in phase 1B—down from the originally planned 60,000.
Tuberculosis is not uncommon in construction settings, especially those involving migrant labor or substandard working conditions. Catalonia recorded 1,200 tuberculosis cases in 2024, a 5% increase from the previous year, according to the Barcelona Tuberculosis Investigation Unit (UITB). Globally, the WHO reports 10.8 million new cases annually, resulting in 1.25 million deaths, mostly in low-income countries. In this instance, the potential outbreak adds to mounting labor controversies at the site. Just one day before the health news broke, the CCOO union staged a protest outside Camp Nou against the dismissal of 50 workers—many undocumented migrants—by contractors Ekstreme Works and Limak. Protesters decried “irregular and illegal” conditions, including excessive hours, lack of protective equipment, and the threat of deportation. Club institutional vice-president Elena Fort had previously acknowledged “minor anomalies” in labor practices but denied systemic abuse, pledging corrections.
FC Barcelona has not issued an official statement on the health investigation, but internal sources indicate enhanced hygiene and ventilation protocols are being implemented across the worksite. “The health of our workers is a priority,” a club spokesperson told Football España, though without elaborating. Limak, the Turkish firm leading much of the construction, has faced similar criticism in past projects over labor rights and environmental violations, intensifying scrutiny on the ethical management of Espai Barça.
Meanwhile, excitement over the return to Camp Nou contrasts sharply with these challenges. The club announced on Wednesday that tickets for Friday’s open training session—set for November 7—sold out within hours, with capacity capped at 23,000 in the main stand and Gol Sud areas, corresponding to phase 1A, for which initial occupancy approval has been secured. Tickets were priced at €5 for members and €10 for the general public, and the club expressed gratitude for the “enthusiasm and support” of fans in an official statement. The session, led by head coach Hansi Flick, begins at 11:00 a.m. and will serve as a technical and operational test, evaluating access systems, security, lighting, and crowd flow to ensure smooth functionality ahead of full reopening.
This event marks the public’s first glimpse of the renovated Spotify Camp Nou since the team relocated to the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys in 2023. Barcelona aims to host its first official match at the stadium the weekend of November 22–23 against Athletic Club, pending final approval of phase 1B by municipal authorities. However, the tuberculosis concern introduces uncertainty. Public health experts, including those from the ASPB, maintain that the risk to fans is low, as construction zones are segregated from public areas. Still, the club may implement additional measures—such as rapid testing or enhanced ventilation—for Friday’s session.
The historical context of tuberculosis in Barcelona adds an ironic layer. In 1939, during the aftermath of the Spanish Civil War, the city endured a massive outbreak, exacerbated by overcrowding and poverty under Franco’s regime, resulting in thousands of cases and dozens of daily deaths. Today, in a stadium that symbolizes freedom and footballing passion, this incident underscores the need to prioritize health in mega-projects. The UITB warns that while controllable, tuberculosis remains a threat in vulnerable settings, and Catalonia has seen recent clusters, including one in 2024 affecting over 25 people.
As the football world focuses on upcoming fixtures—the Clásico or Barcelona’s Champions League clash with Club Brugge this week—this episode serves as a reminder that behind sporting glory lie human realities. The club, already managing financial debt and competitive pressure, must handle this crisis transparently to preserve the trust of its 144,000 members and millions of global fans. The ASPB will release pending test results soon, but for now, Camp Nou—a symbol of resilience—faces another chapter of adversity in its storied history.
On social media, the story has sparked a mix of concern and dark humor. Users on X (formerly Twitter) share memes likening the construction “plagues” to biblical curses, while others demand better labor conditions. One widely shared post reads: “Barcelona ‘hit by TUBERCULOSIS outbreak’ amid £1.25bn revamp,” garnering hundreds of interactions. FC Barcelona, “more than a club,” will need to prove it once again—by putting health above spectacle.
