Zbrojovka Brno was once a club with serious backing from fans, especially around the turn of the millennium. But in recent years, the team from the Czech Republic’s second-largest city has become more of a punchline. The club came dangerously close to relegation to the third tier (MSFL) — which would’ve been rock bottom even for the few loyal fans still showing up at the aging Srbská stadium.

New owner, new vision

Everything changed with the arrival of new owner Vojtěch Kačena, a billionaire with a clear mission: get Zbrojovka back to the top flight — fast. To do that, he brought in head coach Martin Svědík and has been signing players with enough quality to fight for promotion from the Chance National League.

But Kačena isn’t just thinking short-term. He’s also planning a brand-new stadium. The current ground on Srbská Street hasn’t won over supporters, as reflected in years of dwindling attendances — a far cry from the packed stands during the Lužánky days. That’s something Kačena wants to change, and he’s already made it clear: he’ll fund the new stadium himself, without asking the city for a single crown. In an interview with Seznam Zprávy, he said all he needs is help finding the right plot of land and a fair purchase price. The preferred location remains the old cycling velodrome site near the Brno Exhibition Centre, but other well-connected options are also on the table. City officials welcome the idea of a privately financed stadium — it would take the burden off public finances and allow the investor more flexibility and speed.

© Smedek s.r.o. (2013)

What's in the pipeline?

The proposed stadium would seat between 20,000 and 22,000 spectators and meet the standards for both domestic and European matches. There’s no construction date yet — everything is still in the early planning phase. Beyond the stadium, the project also includes major investment in training infrastructure. Kačena plans to spend billions of Czech koruna on a state-of-the-art training center — potentially the most modern in the country once completed. The plans include 10 to 15 football pitches, locker rooms, gyms, and full support facilities. He’s also looking to partner with a sports school — similar to setups in Prague — to allow young talents to combine education with professional-level training. It’s an ambitious project aimed not only at promotion, but at rebuilding the club from the ground up.

© Smedek s.r.o. (2013)