Thirteen years ago, the construction of the largest stadium in Poland began! Over 100 special and transport units and nearly 200 employees appeared at the present PGE Narodowy stadium. Today, the operator informs that Kazimierz Górski will be the official patron.

Decision to build a new national stadium in the place of historic Stadion Dziesięciolecia was made in 2007. Many doubted the success of such a move as previously authorities have been trying to close down one of Europe’s largest marketplaces that was located at the ground for over a decade – with no results.

However in 2008 plans came to fruition when the old bowl was destroyed with heavy machinery, allowing for some 14,000 piles to be installed in the ground, giving future venue stability in this wet ground next to Vistula’s bank. The construction of PGE Narodowy stadium was completed on November 30, 2011.

© Stadiony.net

Today, 13 years after the start of its construction, the venue is a symbol of Warsaw, offers an extremely rich value, and is a must-see place for tourists. In addition to football matches, the facility hosted many amazing events that attracted thousands of fans. The scale and variety of events organized by the Vistula River are impressive.

The UEFA EURO 2012, organized by Poland and Ukraine, was of course the cherry on the cake for the venue. Three group stage matches were played here, including the opening match between Poland and Greece along with the official ceremony, as well as the quarter-final and the semi-final.

Matches of the Polish national football team, the final of the UEFA Europa League and the Polish Cup, world and European men's volleyball championships, windsurfing competitions, KSW fights, athletics memorials, speedway races - all took place at the PGE Narodowy! In addition, concerts of world music stars, festivals, fairs, conferences, picnics, religious meetings, political and economic summits.

© Sebastian Deptula

Unique patronage will be given

October is a really special time for PGE Narodowy. In addition to celebrating the anniversary of the commencement of construction and the match of the Polish national team against San Marino (October 9), the operator informs about another very important event.

Namely, the outstanding Polish football coach, Kazimierz Górski, will be the official patron of the stadium. Officially, his name will be given to the stadium on October 10 during the Football Festival. People who visit the arena on that day will have the opportunity to see, among others, an friendly match played by former national team coach Jerzy Engel's team and Polish parliamentarians.

In 2014, a monument appeared in front of the stadium that reminds those entering PGE Narodowy about the incredible history of Kazimierz Górski. This year, in turn, we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the coach's birthday.

Therefore, together with the naming rights sponsor PGE Polska Grupa Energetyczna, we decided to permanently connect the stadium with the legend of Polish football. By commemorating Kazimierz Górski in this way, we take up the challenge of popularizing the ethos he represented both on the pitch and in social life - says Włodzimierz Dola, president of board of PL.2012+ which acts as the operator of PGE Narodowy.

Author: Karol Tatar