Stadion Zagreb – design description

What does Stadion u Kranjčevićevoj ulici look like?

Stadion u Kranjčevićevoj ulici (Kranjčević Street Stadium) in Zagreb was opened in 1921. Before World War II, it belonged to the club HŠK Concordia. After the war, the long-term host of the facility was NK Zagreb. In recent years it has been used by the teams NK Lokomotiva and NK Rudeš.

The facility is equipped with a concrete cycling track and floodlighting. The capacity of the stands has been reduced to around 5,000 spectators in recent years. The venue is the second largest (after Maksimir) stadium in the Croatian capital and is located not far from the city centre. However, its technical condition leaves much to be desired.

When did the plans to rebuild Stadion u Kranjčevićevoj ulici originate?

In mid-2022, reports emerged about the planned reconstruction of the stadium. In December 2022, the city presented the first renderings. Professors Boris Koružnjak (who died in November 2022) and Vladimir Kasun from the Faculty of Architecture at the University of Zagreb worked on the project. An updated vision for the reconstruction of the stadium was shown in June 2023.

What does the concept for the reconstruction of the Stadion u Kranjčevićevoj ulici entail?

The plan is to completely rebuild the existing stadium. The concrete cycling track will be eliminated and the auditorium will move closer to the pitch, giving the facility a typically football-like form. The west stand is to be modernised, while completely new structures will be built on the other sides of the pitch. The capacity of the arena after reconstruction will be 12,000 spectators.

After the redevelopment, the stadium will have four free-standing, fully-covered stands along each line of the pitch. The corners will remain unbuilt, but will feature four new, distinctive floodlighting masts. Photovoltaic panels will be installed on the roofs. On the outside, the stand facades will be decorated with lots of greenery and will resemble apartment blocks.

The space created behind the south stand will be used to create a new square with a triangular shape. A car park will be created behind the east stand, which can be converted into football or basketball courts.

The facility will meet UEFA Category 4 requirements. It is expected to be used by clubs from Zagreb, including Dinamo, which will temporarily relocate from Maksimir Stadium. The venue will be able to host UEFA European competition matches and national team matches.

When will the Stadion u Kranjčevićevoj ulici be rebuilt?

The reconstruction is expected to start in spring 2024 and will take approximately one year. The work is expected to cost close to €20 million. The cost will be covered by Zagreb's budget, although the city is also counting on support from UEFA to fund the investment.

What does the modernisation of the Stadion u Kranjčevićevoj ulici have to do with Maksimir Stadium?

The modernisation is intended to be a prelude to work on the Maksimir Stadium. Although there are no precise plans yet for the modernisation of the most important stadium in Zagreb and Croatia as a whole, there is no doubt that a comprehensive redevelopment will be needed in the near future. The possibility of Dinamo Zagreb temporarily relocating to the Kranjčević Street Stadium will allow extensive work to be carried out on Maksimir.