The new Sandecja stadium in Nowy Sącz opened with great fanfare on 30 August, intended to be a symbol of modernity and local pride. Today, however, the project is mired in questions over its costs, financing and construction quality.

From plans to reality: costs more than doubled

Construction of the stadium began in 2021 and was originally scheduled to take two years. Initial estimates put the cost at 50 million PLN. Recently, Nowy Sącz deputy mayor Artur Bochenek said the stadium cost 111 million PLN, but no detailed breakdown of that figure was presented during a city council session.

Various media estimates suggest the total cost may have reached as high as 180 million PLN. Details of the loan’s interest rate, servicing costs and repayment schedule have also not been disclosed. The lack of financial details shows how important transparency and security are in today’s world, both offline and online. Fans also take care of their own digital safety and privacy, often by using a VPN on your Windows device to protect their online activity.

A costly and exclusive opening

The official opening festivities for Sandecja’s new stadium cost over 700,000 PLN. They began in the afternoon with a concert by the local children’s group Promyczki and a family fair featuring inflatable attractions. The evening climaxed with a pop concert by international stars In-Grid and Velvet, performed on a stage built on one of the stands.

The ceremony itself was aimed mainly at invited guests — politicians, local officials and businesspeople. Not all media outlets were informed about the press conference or accreditation procedures. For instance, Radio Kraków and Gazeta Krakowska reported that they had received no invitation and that their queries to the city’s press office went unanswered.

© Nowosądecka Infrastruktura Komunalna

A true opening for the fans

For Sandecja supporters, the real opening of the stadium came the next day, 31 August, during a league match. Fans argue that the only proper way to inaugurate a football ground is to see their team play on it. At 5 p.m. that day, hundreds gathered in Nowy Sącz’s market square, donning club colours and carrying banners as they marched to the new stadium. The stands were filled to capacity; 8,111 spectators attended the match between Sandecja and Chojniczanka Chojnice, finally giving the new ground the atmosphere it was built for.

Works still ongoing despite occupancy permit

The symbolic opening was disrupted by bad weather: just before 8 p.m. a heavy downpour hit, and videos online showed the brand-new roof failing to fully protect spectators from the rain, prompting questions over whether the multi-million-zloty structure might be a dud.

According to county building inspector Arkadiusz Nika, the stadium was granted an occupancy permit despite unfinished work. Construction crews have since returned to complete the finishing touches. Administrative areas are still incomplete, and the stormwater pumping station is not scheduled to be operational until the end of October 2025.

© Nowosądecka Infrastruktura Komunalna

Investigation still underway

From the outset, the Sandecja stadium project was fraught with turbulence. The completion date was postponed multiple times, and during construction a dispute erupted between the investor and the contractor, who ultimately walked off the site at the end of 2023. Residents also witnessed parts of the stands being demolished at night. Evidence is currently being gathered: complainants have been questioned, additional witnesses identified, and steps are being taken to appoint experts in public procurement, economics and construction, said Justyna Rataj-Mykietyn, spokesperson for the District Prosecutor’s Office in Nowy Sącz.