National Stadium Warsaw – tournament stadium description

Already in 1990’s Polish authorities had one major problem within Warsaw’s urban space – Stadion Dziesięciolecia. A defunct venue that used to host largest events was transformed into the largest marketplace in Europe with immense illegal trade taking place. Governments were changing, but the place was untouched until Poland won the right to host Euro 2012.

Initial renderings shown to UEFA looked nothing like the final outcome, but this time (there were several attempts to redevelop the stadium) it became obvious things have to change. International design competition ended with JSK Architekci and GMP Architekten getting the job with their proposal of a stadium resembling a wicker basket in Polish colours – a very obvious national symbol. After controversies about the concept being too similar from the outside to Cape Town Stadium it was slightly changed and ready for construction.

Works started in May 2009 and were due to finish in mid-2011, but in the end the ground wasn’t ready until April 2012. The cost raised unprecedented controversies as final budget of the project exceeds 2bln zloty (app. €460m), making it one of the most expensive venues ever built, even if not matching top of the list.

Euro 2012 games

Average attendance: 55,896