Beginning with the upcoming season, Rangers will temporarily relocate their home games from Ibrox to Hampden Park due to renovations.
This relocation will have an impact on the team’s European campaign.
Rangers may play their Champions League or Europa League qualifiers at Hampden in August, then move to Ibrox for the group/league stage in September, if UEFA gives its approval beforehand.
September 17 is the start of the Champions League group/league phase; September 25 is the start of the Europa League.
Regulations, however, forbid moving between Ibrox and Hampden during the league/group stage.
Rangers will therefore need to make a quick decision about whether to play Hampden qualifiers and ensure that Ibrox is ready for the remainder of the tournament by mid-September.
Barcelona is now grappling with laws that prohibit clubs from switching stadiums in the middle of a group stage.
If Rangers advance, this might imply that they will play league games at Ibrox and European games at Hampden until they are eliminated.
If an Ibrox swap during the season is feasible, Rangers may take a cue from Barcelona. Barcelona is up against a comparable obstacle.
The Spanish team intends to return to the Spotify Camp Nou in December following the completion of renovations.
Whatever Camp Nou’s level of preparation, they had to play the Champions League league/group stage at the Olympic Stadium under to UEFA regulations.
Stadium alterations are not permitted by UEFA regulations until after the league/group stage, which concludes in January, according to Mundo Deportivo’s source [July 11].
Barcelona has informed UEFA of its plans and stated that, should they advance, they hope to play their elimination round matches at Camp Nou.
Rangers will also have to contend with the intricacy of UEFA’s regulations, as demonstrated by the Spanish club’s struggles.
John Bennett, the chairman of the Rangers, recognized the uncertainties this scenario brings.
He stated [July 11] on the official website of his club: “First and foremost, I would like to express my regret for the uncertainty this postponed project has caused for our partners, supporters, season ticket holders, and hospitality clients.”
He said he would provide a more detailed update by the end of July, but it is more likely that the Gers’ European matches will now take place at Hampden until early 2025, if they are still in either competition.
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