In the last round of the Fortuna 1 Liga, GKS Katowice defeated Arka Gdynia away and secured direct promotion to the Ekstraklasa. This success means that GieKsa is returning to the top division after 19 years!

Waiting for new stadium

GKS Katowice plays its matches at the aged stadium on Bukowa Street, which was inaugurated in 1955. The stadium, which can hold just over 6,700 fans, has never undergone a significant modernization, with only minor works done to meet licensing requirements. These are the final moments for this stadium as the home of GieKsa's men's team. The new arena on Załęska Hałda will be completed by the end of 2024, with its opening planned for the spring of the following year.

Day by day, the new stadium is becoming more impressive. Do you know what is equally impressive? Check out the CryptoCasinos latest lists, enjoy the game and benefit from expert advice. The drainage system and foundation for the vegetative layers on the main field are finished, and the drainage system on the training fields is underway. The roof covering, gutters, and drainage over three stands are completed. Structures for video boards and electrical cable routes are ready. Preparations for the installation of barriers, railings, and seats have begun. Infrastructure for fans under the stands, including catering boxes and sanitary facilities, is also under construction.

Intensive work is ongoing on the promenade around the new stadium in Katowice, with foundational work being covered with fiber-reinforced concrete, and green areas are being shaped. The concrete flooring on the edge of the mass event area and in the corner vomitories is complete. A few days ago, construction began on a new road system around the stadium. Access roads and parking for visiting fans and services, along with pathways to the stadium, will be built. The chosen contractor has 16 months to complete the project, meaning the road system will be ready by summer 2025.

© Grupa NDI | Construction of GKS Katowice's new stadium

"Few adjustments"

However, it seems that the "old-timer" on Bukowa will likely witness the great return to the Ekstraklasa. The club "received a license to participate in the PKO BP Ekstraklasa in the 2024/2025 season with supervision over sports, infrastructure, and personnel and administration."

As Michał Kajzerek, the press spokesman for GKS Katowice, revealed in an interview with Eska, the old GKS Katowice stadium needs a few adjustments. The authorities hope to complete all necessary work by the end of June so that the commission can finally approve the venue for organizing top-division matches.

"Our stadium must be adapted to the requirements of television. This involves reconstructing platforms for cameras and increasing the lighting power. This plan was prepared a few weeks ago, and we are discussing it in detail with the facility's manager, MOSiR. I am convinced we will get everything done," said GKS Katowice President Krzysztof Nowak to sportowefakty.pl.

© Sitikultys.pl | The old stadium of GKS Katowice

Tickets sold out in hours

Season tickets for the Ekstraklasa season at Bukowa were sold out in record time. Open sales started on May 31 at 12:00 PM, and by 3:13 PM, the club announced they were sold out. Previously, subscribers from last season could buy passes for the entire round.

"We would like to inform you that the sale of season tickets for GKS Katowice's home matches in the autumn round of the PKO BP Ekstraklasa has ended. We greatly appreciate your immense interest! Should any seats become available at the venue, for example, due to cancellations of previous reservations or after the completion of planned renovations, we will announce this in a separate communication," stated GKS.

© Bartłomiej Kopczyński | The old stadium of GKS Katowice