What was meant to be the long-awaited new home for Odra Opole quickly turned into a sobering reality. Itaka Arena — instead of celebrating — was marred by vandalism right after its grand opening: damaged toilets, torn-out railings, and signs of destruction throughout the venue.

Day meant to go down in history

March 21, 2025, was marked by the long-anticipated opening of Opole’s new municipal stadium. After years of debate, planning, and construction — the city finally got it done. The facility, built on the northwestern outskirts of the city, became the new home of Odra Opole. The pre-match atmosphere was electric. Fans packed the stands, and the city had been buzzing with excitement since early morning.

Supporters in Opole had been waiting for a new stadium for 95 years, ever since the original one opened on Oleska Street. Things are quite different in the world of online entertainment, where we no longer want to wait in today’s fast-paced environment. One of the most popular online activities is top sweepstakes casinos, offering top welcome bonuses and using the best virtual currencies.

The first match at Itaka Arena was symbolic. Odra faced Germany’s 1. FC Magdeburg — a rival they played nearly 50 years ago in the UEFA Cup. City officials described the game as a way of closing a historic chapter. Even Opole’s mayor, Arkadiusz Wiśniewski, called the stadium the most beautiful in Poland. The match ended in a 1–1 draw, and although it wasn’t a win, the event itself seemed to have gone according to plan.

© Obiektyw PK - foto i film

“Like a horde rampaged through it”

The joy didn’t last long. After the match, the away section was found heavily vandalized. Broken toilets, damaged railings, ripped-out fixtures — it looked like the aftermath of a storm. Photos shared online quickly stirred public outrage. Mayor Wiśniewski didn’t mince words: It’s like a horde rampaged through it. As harsh as his words were, many agreed with the sentiment.

The stadium’s operator, Opole’s Municipal Services Department, didn’t waste time — they reported the incident as a criminal offense. Damages are still being assessed, and the police have launched an investigation. One thing is clear: the debut of Itaka Arena didn’t go as envisioned. Instead of euphoria — a sense of disappointment and an urgent need for repairs.

© Itaka Arena

Stadium sponsored by local company

Two days before the stadium’s official opening, a press conference announced its new name. The Opole Municipal Stadium was renamed Itaka Arena, under a five-year sponsorship deal with Itaka — the largest travel agency in Poland.

The annual value of the deal is 180 000 € net (nearly 239 000 € gross). Patryk Stasiak, head of the Municipal Services Department, called it perfect timing: This venue is really just opening, and we’ll open it under the name Itaka Arena.

Itaka has supported sports in Poland for years. Vice-president Piotr Henicz said the sponsorship was a natural extension of their involvement, which includes backing the Polish Olympic team.

Mayor Wiśniewski spoke enthusiastically about the partnership: Itaka proved you can build a global company in Opole. The stadium can also be a symbol of success — for the city and for sport. Meanwhile, Odra Opole’s president, Tomasz Lisiński, noted a sense of return: The Itaka logo was once on our shirts. The story comes full circle.

© Obiektyw PK - foto i film

What does the new stadium look like?

Opole’s new municipal stadium is a modern, fully roofed facility with a capacity of 11,600 seats. It meets UEFA’s Category III standards, making it suitable for lower-tier international matches. The stands form a single tier that surrounds the entire pitch.

The most distinctive architectural feature is the white PTFE membrane façade. Its flowing shape resembles a lifted dress and was inspired by the curved roof of Opole’s amphitheater. At night, the membrane can be illuminated in various colors.

Itaka Arena also showcases an eco-conscious design. Solar panels generate enough energy on sunny days to power the entire stadium. Four 100 m³ retention tanks collect rainwater, used for watering the pitch and flushing toilets. There’s also a dedicated deep well in case of drought. In addition, insect and small animal habitats were placed around the grounds. The total cost of the project was €55 million.