Neo Karaiskaki – design description

How can the Olympiakos stadium expansion project be briefly described?

The ambitious vision for the expansion of Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium, home to Olympiakos Piraeus (the most successful football club in Greece), is set to turn the venue into one of the most modern and architecturally interesting stadiums in Europe.

The plan includes the addition of a second tier above the existing stands, the expansion of the building housing the VIP boxes, and a new roof structure. The redevelopment will completely transform the stadium’s external appearance.

The capacity will increase from 33,500 to over 53,000 seats. A striking panoramic ring-shaped screen is planned along the upper edge of the stands, similar to the one at Krasnodar Stadium. An additional circular display is also planned on the facade.

Construction could begin in May 2027. The project is expected to take around two years, during which Olympiakos will temporarily relocate to the Olympic Stadium. The cost is estimated at no less than €250 million, to be funded by the club and its owner.

How does the current Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium look?

The Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium in Piraeus (a port city within the Greater Athens metropolitan area) was built in 2003–2004, just ahead of the 2004 Olympic Games, as the most modern football stadium in Greece at the time.

Before the construction of the current stadium, two earlier venues existed on the same site. The first was built for the 1896 Olympic Games, where it served as a cycling velodrome. From 1925, it was used by Olympiakos footballers for their home matches.

The second stadium was constructed following a complete redevelopment in the 1960s. At that time, it featured an athletics track surrounded by stands with an unusual (for a track stadium) rectangular layout.

The current stadium has a capacity of around 33,500 spectators, with single-tier, fully covered stands. It is located close to the sea, next to the Peace and Friendship Stadium (a major indoor arena), as well as a metro station and a tram stop.

What is Olympiakos Piraeus?

Olympiakos is a sports club based in Piraeus, best known for its football team, although it also operates successful sections in other sports. Its football side is the most decorated club in Greek football history.

In 2024, Olympiakos became the first Greek team to win a European trophy, claiming the UEFA Europa Conference League title. In 2025, the club celebrated its 100th anniversary.

When was the Olympiakos stadium expansion project presented?

The first reports about plans to expand the stadium began to emerge in 2025. On 2 July 2026, the club held a presentation gala at the Municipal Theatre of Piraeus, during which the expansion project was officially unveiled. Among the speakers was Olympiakos owner Evangelos Marinakis, who is actively involved in the project.

The expansion project was presented more than two decades after the opening of the current stadium. Although the venue remains one of the best in the country, domestic rivals have recently begun to catch up. In 2022, the modern AEK Athens Stadium was opened, since 2025 a new stadium for Panathinaikos has been under construction, and PAOK Thessaloniki also has plans for a new arena.

What does the Olympiakos stadium expansion project include?

The ambitious project involves a significant redevelopment of the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium. A second tier of stands will be added above the existing seating on three sides of the ground, while the western side will see the expansion of the building housing the VIP boxes.

As a result, the stadium’s capacity will increase to over 53,000 seats, making it, without doubt, the largest football-specific stadium in Greece. The venue will also receive a completely new roof, and its external appearance will be radically transformed.

The stadium will be equipped with new technologies, including a panoramic ring-shaped screen running above the stands, similar to the one at Krasnodar Stadium. An additional circular display will also be installed on the upper section of the stadium facade.

When will the Olympiakos stadium be expanded?

During the project presentation, Evangelos Marinakis indicated that the club has sufficient financial resources and has already selected a contractor ready to begin work, with the main obstacle being regulations regarding the maximum allowable building height.

If all necessary approvals are obtained, construction could begin in May 2027 and is expected to take two years. During this period, Olympiakos would temporarily relocate to the Olympic Stadium in Athens.

The cost of the investment is estimated at over €250 million and is expected to be fully covered by the club and its owner.