Arena Zabrze – design description

When did the first details of the construction of the new stadium in Zabrze appear?

In connection with the redevelopment of the stadium in Zabrze, which has been discussed since the beginning of the 21st century, a municipal company under the name of Stadion w Zabrzu (Stadium in Zabrze) was established on 28th November 2007 to coordinate work on the realisation of this goal. In addition, the mayor appointed a team to develop an architectural concept for the new venue.

What redevelopment concepts for the arena in Zabrze were considered?

On 8th April 2008, three different ideas for the redevelopment of the stadium were presented. All of them assumed, in accordance with the expectations of the city authorities, the club and the fans, the creation of a typical football arena (without the athletics track) with a capacity of approximately 30,000 spectators. After discussions and studies, the winning proposal was presented on 16th June 2008, its author being the "Architektura" design team from Kraków led by Andrzej Winszowaty and Maciej Wójtowicz.

How did the execution of the construction plans for the stadium in Zabrze proceed?

On 18th November 2008 a tender for the development of the venue design documentation was announced. As a result of the tender, the consortium consisting of GMT Sp. z o.o. from Mysłowice, Karpla Konsulting Sp. z o.o. from Kraków and Zakład Remontowo-Budowlany "Sar-Bud s.c." from Szczawnica. The contract was signed on 2nd April 2009. The role of chief designer was held by architect Michał Lah and designer Marcin Sarata. The contractor for the architectural design was Marek Szczęśniak's design team (SDA Szcześniak Denier Architects from Warsaw).

The final result of the project, developed by a consortium led by GMT, differed slightly from the initial concept from 2008. One of the most noticeable changes was the rounding of the "chamfered" corners on the outside, giving the building a more rectangular shape.

What will the redeveloped stadium in Zabrze look like?

The facility will have compact, two-storey stands surrounding the pitch from all sides. The auditorium will be entirely covered with a roof made of trapezoidal sheet metal and, in the final sections, of transparent polycarbonate, which will allow more sunlight into the pitch. Lighting with an intensity of 2000 lux will be embedded in the canopy. The reinforced concrete structure will be covered from the outside by an openwork facade made of black aluminium tubes. The front elevation can be illuminated at night.

The two training pitches behind the eastern stand will be removed and replaced by an elevated entrance walkway with three square-shaped ticket office buildings. Under the walkway there will be a two-storey underground car park; underground car parks will also be created in the lower tiers of the stands. Under the auditorium there will also be, among others, office, social, storage and technical rooms. The stadium will have a business zone with conference and catering facilities, as well as a shopping arcade with a fitness club, fan shop and sports museum. In total, the facility will offer 57,000 m² of usable floor space.

The stands will be equipped with folding plastic chairs, arranged in a mosaic made up of Górnik Zabrze's colours - red, blue and white. On the upper tiers they will additionally form inscriptions "Górnik" and "Zabrze", and on the ultras stand (south) also "Torcida". The family zone will be located on the stand behind the north goal, and the visitors' zone in the north-west corner. The capacity of the arena will be 31,871 spectators. Refreshment kiosks will be available for use during events. VIP boxes will also be available for hire at the stadium.

How many stages are planned for the redevelopment of the Górnik Zabrze arena?

The implementation of the project was divided into two phases. The first phase was carried out, with difficulties, between 2011 and 2016. It included the construction of new stands on the north, east and south sides, together with the construction of corner stands on the west side. The stadium was not out of use throughout the reconstruction.

The second phase will see the construction of a fourth grandstand on the west side, which will enclose the facility in a compact architectural mass. The demolition of the old main stand was carried out in spring 2023. Construction of the new stand began in June 2023. The fourth stand should be ready for use in spring 2025.