Stadion Hristo Botev – design description

First conceptual renditions of this stadium were presented back in 2012. But with the club not having the 35-year ownership of the ground secured back then (only approved in Feb 2014) and final design being worked on, the progress was symbolic at first.

Real demolition of the old stands began in early 2014 as the club presented its final vision of Bulgaria’s best stadium, or so it was called upon presentation. After the late launch construction was announced to be done in April 2015, with opening scheduled for May.

The modified design by local office Vamos includes 75% of the 18,788 seats covered by enclosed roof (initial vision had uncovered corners) with all spectators located on one tier. Dominated by yellow and black colours of the club, the stands will have a typical layout: north end will belong to the fanatic fans, signaled by the big number 12 (for ‘12^th man’) written with seats. Away fans will have 1,500-1,600 seats in the south.

The new stadium will retain only one element of the old one – historical stairs leading to the main grandstand. Even the name will be changed, but this is expected to be preceded by thorough consultation.

The investment was able to proceed thanks to private funding from the club's owner, Tsvetan Vasilyev, one of the richest men in Bulgaria. For the duration of the project, Botev moved to a training stadium at his football academy, also built with funds from the billionaire.

Following the arrest of Tsvetan Vasilyev, work was finally halted in 2015. It was only thanks to central government funding that construction of the stadium resumed in late 2020. The facility is expected to be ready at the end of 2022.