Stadion Sandecji – historical stadium description

How can Father Władysław Augustynek Stadium be briefly described?

Father Władysław Augustynek Stadium was opened in 1970, originally as the 25th Anniversary of the Polish People’s Republic Stadium. It served as the city’s main sports arena – the home ground of Sandecja as well as the venue for numerous sporting and cultural events.

Following Sandecja’s historic promotion to the Ekstraklasa in 2017, a decision was made to replace it with a modern, football-specific stadium. Construction began in June 2021, and the new Municipal Stadium was completed and opened in August 2025.

When was Father Władysław Augustynek Stadium built?

The stadium was constructed between 1968 and 1970, largely through community work. The initiative came from Wiesław Oleksy, and the cost of construction amounted to six million Polish złotys of the time. The facility was designed by local architect and urban planner Wojciech Szczygieł.

The first match at the new ground was played on 30 April 1970, when Sandecja defeated Fablok Chrzanów 2–1 in a third-division fixture.

Previously, Sandecja had played its home matches at a stadium located at the junction of Wolności Avenue and Szczęsny Morawski Street. That facility had been built in 1947 on the site of Sokół’s pre-war pitch. After the new stadium was completed, the old venue, known as “Stara Sandecja” (“Old Sandecja”), was demolished in 1972. Today, a meadow occupies its former location.

The official inauguration of the new stadium took place on 2 May 1970. The opening featured a series of football games, including a match between the youth national teams of Poland and Hungary, which the visitors won 3–2.

What events took place at Father Władysław Augustynek Stadium?

Over the years, the stadium hosted numerous athletics, rugby and cycling events, including international competitions. In 1978 it was one of the venues of the UEFA Youth Tournament.

In the 1986/87 season Sandecja played in the second division for the first time. For the inaugural match the players entered the pitch in horse-drawn carriages, while flowers were dropped onto the field from an airplane. The second spell in the second tier came in the 1991/92 season.

The third promotion to the second division followed in 2009, just a year before the club’s centenary. The 100th anniversary was marked on 31 July 2010 with a friendly match against Ruch Chorzów (0–1).

After the third promotion to the second division Sandecja managed to stay longer than a single season, and in 2017 they achieved a historic promotion to the Ekstraklasa. Their stay at the top flight lasted only one year, during which Sandecja had to play their matches in Nieciecza, as the Nowy Sącz stadium did not meet league requirements.

What changes did Father Władysław Augustynek Stadium undergo?

The stadium was originally named to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the Polish People’s Republic. In 1998, its name was changed to honor Father Władysław Augustynek, who had passed away at the end of 1997. During the 1990s, a new main stand was built along with a club building. At the beginning of 2011, floodlight masts were installed at the stadium.

Where was Father Władysław Augustynek Stadium located?

The stadium was situated about 1 km southeast of the city center, on the banks of the Kamienica River, next to the Sądecki Cursed Soldiers Roundabout – at the junction of Jana Kilińskiego and Krańcowa streets.

When was the new stadium built in place of Father Władysław Augustynek Stadium?

By the 21st century, the modest stadium no longer met the growing requirements, which became most evident after Sandecja’s promotion to the Ekstraklasa in 2017, when the club had to play its home matches in Nieciecza.

It was therefore decided to replace the old stadium with a new facility on the same site. Construction began in June 2021 with the demolition of the north stand and the western curve. Sandecja continued to play matches at the stadium until the end of the 2021/22 season, after which the last element of the old venue – the main stand – was demolished in summer 2022.

The construction of the new stadium was delayed, leading the city to terminate the contract with the main contractor. The new Municipal Stadium was finally completed after four years, with the official opening taking place on 30 August 2025.