Sporting ambitions at Wieczysta Kraków continue to grow, but the club’s future in Poland’s top divisions largely depends on infrastructure. If the team earns promotion, Ekstraklasa could feature as many as three clubs from Kraków. However, the key obstacle remains the construction of a stadium that meets league requirements.

New Wieczysta Kraków stadium – estimated cost exceeds PLN 130 million

The original plans for a new stadium for Wieczysta Kraków were highly ambitious. The project submitted to city officials more than a year and a half ago envisioned the construction of a modern venue costing over PLN 130 million. However, that amount proved too high for the city’s budget.

As a result, Kraków authorities began talks with the club to find a more realistic solution. According to the city’s deputy mayor, Łukasz Sęk, work is currently underway to update the design so that the investment can be carried out in a more gradual and cost-efficient way. The changes mainly involve limiting elements that are not essential in the first phase of construction and adapting the project to the city’s financial capacity as well as potential external funding sources. While waiting for important decisions regarding sports infrastructure, fans often look for other forms of entertainment, and one of the most popular options is sports betting platforms offering modern solutions that allow users to use crypto to bet on soccer.

Training centre on Chałupnika Street in a new infrastructure concept

In the updated infrastructure concept, the training centre on Chałupnika Street will play a key role. Instead of focusing solely on building a stadium, the project now envisions a larger sports complex that would include training pitches for youth teams and additional training facilities.

This approach increases the chances of obtaining external funding, as youth sports infrastructure projects are often eligible for support from government programmes or European funds. The stadium would become one element of the entire complex rather than the sole investment. Deputy mayor Łukasz Sęk emphasised that updating the design should make it possible to carry out the project in stages. This would allow the first elements of the training centre to be built earlier, with further development following as funding becomes available.

© Grzegorz Kaliciak

Stadium meeting first league requirements

One of the key objectives of the revised project is to build a stadium that meets the standards required for I liga matches. This means providing adequate infrastructure for fans, media and teams, as well as meeting safety and technical requirements.

Once the updated design documentation is completed, city authorities will be able to determine the exact cost of the investment and assess possible financing options. Only then will a final decision be made regarding construction. For now, however, it is clear that the process will take time. Even with a quick decision, projects of this scale usually take several years—from documentation and administrative procedures to actual construction.

Promotion to the Ekstraklasa and stadium capacity

The situation is further complicated by the fact that Wieczysta Kraków still has realistic chances of being promoted to the Ekstraklasa. In such a scenario, a stadium built to I liga standards might quickly prove insufficient.

City officials and club representatives are aware of this challenge but emphasise that even if promotion occurs soon, the team would likely have to play its matches at another venue temporarily. Building a new stadium that meets Ekstraklasa standards is a long-term process. For this reason, discussions are currently focused on temporary solutions and on creating infrastructure that could be expanded or modernised in the future.

© Grzegorz Kaliciak

Wisła Kraków’s stadium as a possible temporary home

One of the most realistic scenarios for the coming seasons is that Wieczysta Kraków could play its home matches at the stadium of Wisła Kraków, located on Reymonta Street. The club has already declared its willingness to provide a preliminary agreement allowing the venue to be used in the 2026/2027 season.

Such a solution would allow the team to return to playing in Kraków and potentially attract far more fans than it currently does in ArcelorMittal Park. The most recent home match played there was attended by just over 500 spectators. For many supporters, travelling to Sosnowiec involves additional costs and logistical challenges. In Kraków, interest in the club could grow significantly, especially if the team continues to push for promotion to the top tier.

Three Ekstraklasa clubs in Kraków – an infrastructure challenge

A potential promotion for Wieczysta Kraków could lead to an unusual situation in which three teams from Kraków compete in the Ekstraklasa: Wisła Kraków, Cracovia, and Wieczysta. While such a scenario would be a major sporting milestone for the city, it also raises questions about the feasibility of maintaining three stadiums that meet top-tier standards. The existing venues of Wisła Kraków and Cracovia already generate significant maintenance costs and require regular upgrades. For this reason, Kraków authorities are approaching plans for a new stadium for Wieczysta with caution.

The key challenge will be finding a solution that allows the club to continue developing on the pitch while ensuring that the city’s budget is not excessively burdened.

© Grzegorz Kaliciak