Stadion Petar Miloševski – stadium description

How was the Stadion pod Tumbe Kafe built?

The stadium in Bitola was built in 1937. In 1980, the reinforced concrete stand on the south side was put into use. In the 21st century, there was talk of extending the facility. In 2013, after successive unfulfilled promises from the local government, the social initiative 'Sakame Stadion wo Bitola' ('We want a stadium in Bitola') was created, with many people from Bitola, across Macedonia and beyond, including well-known athletes and celebrities, supporting the modernisation of the facility.

In December 2016, the construction of the new main stand on the north side began, with a capacity of approximately 4,800 spectators. Its opening took place on December 3, 2022, on the occasion of a Macedonian second division match (Pelister Bitola – Vardar Skopje 2:2). The cost of building the stand was €5.5 million and was covered by the local government budget.

The extension increased the capacity of the entire venue from six to around 10,000 spectators. Further work is planned, including the construction of arches, the modernisation of the south stand, the renovation of the athletics track surface and the installation of lighting.

Who is the stadium in Bitola named after?

At the end of 2021, there was an initiative to name the stadium after Petar Miloshevski, a Bitola-born goalkeeper, 59-time representative of Macedonia, who died in 2014 as a result of a car accident. On December 27, 2021, city councilors voted to rename the stadium, which was previously known as Stadion pod Tumbe Kafe. The training center of the national football federation in Skopje has also been named after Petar Milyshevski since 2014.

Who does the Petar Miloszewski Stadium in Bitola serve?

The main user of the stadium is FK Pelister. The club was founded in 1945, although its roots go back to 1924, and in the 1991/92 season the team played in the top Yugoslav league. However, this was the last season of this competition before the breakup of the SFR of Yugoslavia, with teams from Croatia and Slovenia no longer participating, and during the season, most teams from Bosnia and Herzegovina withdrew due to the war. Prior to that, Pelister had played in the Yugoslav second division in the 1975/76 season and since 1982.

After Macedonia's independence (from 2019 North Macedonia), Pelister was among the most recognisable clubs in the country, although it has yet to win a league title. Instead, it won the Macedonian Cup in 2001 and 2017, and made occasional appearances in European cups.

The club's supporters are known as Čkembari. Their biggest rival is Komiti, fans of Vardar Skopje. Confrontations between these teams are referred to as the eternal derby, and the rivalry between fans ranks among the biggest on the North Macedonian ultras scene. In 1993, there was a dangerous-looking riot at the Bitola stadium on the occasion of Pelister's match against Vardar.

What does the Petar Miloshevski stadium in Bitola look like?

The stadium has two stands. The new (opened in 2022), covered main stand on the north side can accommodate around 4,800 spectators. It features VIP boxes as well as seats for journalists and commentators. Underneath the main stand is a three-storey backstage area. On the opposite side is the second stand, opened in 1980. Its upper sections are covered. The capacity of the entire stadium is approximately 10,000 spectators.

A badly neglected athletics track runs around the pitch in the stadium. Next to the stadium there is also a swimming pool, tennis courts and training pitches. The facility is located in the southern part of the city, not far from the railway station.