The Romanian government has approved the construction of a new stadium in Oradea, which will become the new home of FC Bihor football club. The decisions were taken 100 years after the construction of the old facility, which deviated from standards.

Government's landmark decision

Oradea city authorities have proudly announced that the Romanian government has given official approval for the construction of a new football stadium in Oradea on Făgărașului Street. This decision, which includes the approval of the technical and economic indicators, means the green light for an investment that has long been awaited by residents and sports supporters in the region. The new facility, which will accommodate 16,291 spectators.

FC Bihor, which returned to the Romanian second division last season, has long struggled with infrastructure problems. The current Iuliu Bodola stadium, although historically important, is no longer up to modern standards. Although it can hold 12,376 spectators, its capacity has been reduced from 18,000 due to the closure of the east stand. The new stadium, which will be built to UEFA standards, aims to increase the comfort of fans.

© Primaria Oradea, Dico și Ţigănaş

An investment in the city's future

The construction of the new stadium is part of an extensive government programme being carried out by the National Investment Company (CNI). The cost of the investment is estimated at 472 million lei, equivalent to around €94.4 million. In addition to the stadium itself, the project involves the construction of modern facilities, which will include a hotel with a restaurant, conference rooms and a spa centre dedicated to the recovery of athletes.

Once the project has been approved by the government, the next stage is to carry out a procedure to select a contractor to carry out the investment. Construction work is expected to start in 2025, with completion a few years later.

© Primaria Oradea, Dico și Ţigănaş

Florin Birta, mayor of Oradea, does not hide his joy at the approval of the project. In a statement, he stressed that the new stadium is an important moment for the city, which has a population of nearly 200,000. In the next period, the procedure for selecting the contractor will start. We propose that next year work will start on the new city stadium, which will be built to UEFA standards Birta said, thanking the Romanian government and all the institutions and people involved in the project.

FC Bihor president George Tătar was equally enthusiastic about the decision. In the year in which we are celebrating the 100th anniversary of the construction of the main stadium of Oradea and Bihor, Iuliu Bodol Stadium, we have received extraordinary news! The government's decision to approve the technical and economic indicators for the construction project of the sports complex, which includes the new Oradea stadium, has been adopted said Tătar, stressing the symbolic importance of this event for the club.