Just 13 years after its opening, the Ministry of Sport and Tourism has started official analyses on a deep modernization of PGE Narodowy. The idea is linked both to Warsaw’s potential bids to host the Olympic Games in 2040 or 2044, and to bringing the UEFA Champions League final to Poland.

Groundbreaking concept: 80,000 seats and an Olympic track

Documents and government statements reveal a vision never officially presented in Poland. The proposed renovation involves demolishing much of the first ring of stands and the current roof structure. This would allow for new stadium sections, increasing PGE Narodowy’s capacity from 58,000 to around 80,000 seats—or possibly even more.

The biggest change would be installing a full 400-meter athletics track on the field. This would transform the stadium from a purely football venue into a hybrid arena, capable of hosting top-level athletics events, including Olympic medal ceremonies.

Minister of Sport Jakub Rutnicki confirmed that conceptual work is underway: We are preparing analyses, and my dream would be a new PGE Narodowy in the same location, but in a completely new form. He added that the modernization could bring Warsaw closer to the best examples, like stadium redevelopments in Barcelona and Madrid.

Surprisingly broad support. Athletics says: finally

Although it was previously believed that a young and expensive stadium should not be altered, Rutnicki’s proposal quickly gained backing from sports communities—especially athletics. Double Olympic champion and Vice President of the Polish Athletics Association (PZLA), Tomasz Majewski, called the idea a sensible direction. In his view, a renovation could be not only cheaper but also more beneficial for sports than building an entirely new venue: This is definitely the best and most cost-effective option for PGE Narodowy to meet the highest standards, he said, emphasizing that athletics needs a boost and that Warsaw, as the capital, should host the most important events.

© Grzegorz Kaliciak / StadiumDB.com

Goal: Champions League. But what about visibility?

The most noticeable effect of the renovation for football fans would be moving the stands away from the pitch. Currently, PGE Narodowy is a football-oriented stadium, so adding a track would inevitably affect sightlines. Rutnicki tries to calm concerns: I understand that right now it is a purely football stadium, so I don’t want to make any final decisions. I just want to signal that analyses are ongoing. This statement clearly indicates that the stadium’s final form will depend on study results and later government decisions.

One key argument for expansion is to bring the Champions League final to Warsaw—a prestigious event that also generates massive revenue and media coverage. The minister does not hide his ambition: The new PGE Narodowy should have 70,000—or possibly even more than 80,000 seats.

Not just a stadium

Alongside the stadium redevelopment, the government also plans to build a new indoor arena for over 20,000 people, serving as the second key point of Olympic infrastructure. The team responsible for preparations will also travel to France to consult with organizers of the Paris and French Alps Games.

© Grzegorz Kaliciak / StadiumDB.com

When will decisions be made?

Although the vision is very ambitious, no decision has yet been made to start construction. The government stresses that the project requires broad consultations, cost calculations, and engineering feasibility checks. What is certain is that any modernization would involve temporary closure of the stadium.

Rutnicki emphasizes that the perspective is long-term, but the goal is clear: We want to make the Narodowy the most modern stadium in Europe within 10–20 years.