Hungarian energy giant MOL Group is continuing preparations for the construction of a new stadium for Újpest FC. The company already owns a significant plot of land on Fóti Road in Budapest, and on October 18 last year the project was officially classified by the government as a strategic investment. This status allows for accelerated administrative procedures and makes it possible to bypass certain local urban planning and construction regulations.

MOL insists the stadium will be built

However, following the April 12 elections, Hungary’s political landscape has changed. A new government is expected to take power, potentially with a different approach toward projects carried out under special investment procedures. As a result, questions have emerged over whether the planned Újpest stadium will actually be completed.

In response to media inquiries, MOL stressed that it remains fully committed to the club’s development and its long-term investment plans. The company stated that as the owner of Újpest FC, MOL Group is determined to continue the ongoing development projects. The goal is to create a stable, transparent, and sustainable club, both from sporting and economic perspectives.

According to current plans, the new stadium will have a capacity of approximately 18,000 spectators. However, the venue is not intended solely for the first football team. Club president Ratatics Péter has announced plans for a large multi-functional sports complex. The development is expected to include training pitches, indoor sports facilities, recovery and rehabilitation infrastructure, as well as commercial areas.

The club has also declared its intention to consult local residents regarding the commercial and service functions planned for the site. And while the issue of a new stadium for Újpest FC remains highly important, the attention of Budapest residents and the wider football world is increasingly turning toward the major event set to take place in the Hungarian capital in just a few days. Many analysts expect a record number of fans to bet on Champions League final, adding even more intensity to an already massive sporting occasion.

© Újpest FC

Residents and local authorities have concerns

The investment has been controversial among some residents of the Újpest district from the very beginning. The planned stadium is set to be built in a suburban, villa-style residential area, raising concerns about increased traffic, noise, and major urban changes.

Several public consultation meetings have already been held with the local community. The district’s mayor, Trippon Norbert, elected in 2024 with the support of the opposition coalition, has also taken a critical stance on the issue. He called on administrative authorities to suspend the issuance of permits for projects carried out under government priority procedures until the new cabinet officially takes office.

According to Trippon, decisions made shortly before the transfer of power could limit the room for maneuver of the incoming government and newly appointed state officials. Although the mayor directly referred in a social media post to a separate large-scale residential development planned for Népsziget Island, local media indicate that his comments also apply to the planned Újpest stadium.

© Újpest FC

Possible review of strategic investments

During an extraordinary district council meeting, officials proposed asking the new government to re-examine all investments that had received strategic project status in recent years. Deputy mayor Déri Tibor announced plans to submit a motion calling for a review of such developments, particularly regarding their impact on urban planning, transportation, and district infrastructure.

The debate has intensified further following recent government decisions connected to the Otthon Start housing program. Special investment status was granted to riverside areas along the Danube as well as plots in central Újpest, where much denser development may now become possible compared to previous local planning regulations.