PGE Narodowy – stadium description

How did idea for building National Stadium in Warsaw come about?

The idea of constructing a new National Stadium in Warsaw first emerged in the mid-1990s, but from the outset, it sparked controversy, particularly regarding its location. One of the proposals involved using the site of the former, neglected Stadion Dziesięciolecia. However, alternative concepts also surfaced, suggesting the construction of a new facility in various districts of the capital. The most recognizable among them, promoted in late 1999, envisioned the creation of a Stadion Polska in the Białołęka district, modeled after the Stade de France in Paris. Other potential locations included Służewiec, the Siekierkowski Arc, Wawer, and Wesoła. For over a decade, the project remained only a concept. The decisive breakthrough came with Poland being awarded the role of co-host for UEFA Euro 2012.

A pivotal moment was on April 26, 2007, when the Mayor of Warsaw, Hanna Gronkiewicz-Waltz, signed the decision establishing the development conditions for the investment on the grounds of Stadion Dziesięciolecia. Then, on September 14 of the same year, Minister of Sport Elżbieta Jakubiak announced that the new stadium would be built on the site of the former stadium. The next step was the establishment of the National Sports Centre (Narodowe Centrum Sportu), which was to oversee the project’s execution. On November 29, 2007, Minister Mirosław Drzewiecki announced that out of the three shortlisted bidders – APA KA, HOK Sport, and JSK – the winner was the Warsaw-based design studio JSK Architekci Sp. z o.o. On December 17, the concept for building the stadium on the site of the old Stadion Dziesięciolecia was officially approved.

How did construction of National Stadium in Warsaw proceed?

On February 1, 2008, the concept for the new stadium was presented – the visualizations and model were prepared by a consortium composed of JSK Architekci, Gerkan, Marg und Partner, and Schlaich Bergermann & Partner. Groundwork began on May 15, with trial piling of the foundations of the old stadium. On June 18, the National Sports Centre submitted the construction design and accompanying documentation to the Mazovian Voivode. Just 34 days later, on July 22, Voivode Jacek Kozłowski issued the building permit.

In September, a contract was signed with Pol-Aqua for the first stage of construction, and major works began. Cameras were installed on-site, allowing the public to track the progress of the works online. From 2010 onwards, a 24-hour live feed of the stadium bowl was also available.

The first stage involved demolishing the concrete stands of the old stadium and performing necessary groundwork. This phase was scheduled to be completed within 200 days. In April 2009, offers were opened for the second stage of the project. The winning bid came from a consortium consisting of Alpine (German, Austrian, and Polish branches), Hydrobudowa, and PBG – worth over $312,500,000 net. The second phase was expected to last until May 2011.

Although the first construction machines arrived on-site in May, significant work only commenced in the summer. Crane installation began – a total of 19 were erected. Simultaneously, work started on formwork and concrete pouring for the first three levels of the stadium. At that point, over 1,000 workers were involved. This stage featured the use of modern bubbledeck slabs – special concrete slabs with internal voids filled with lightweight plastic spheres, which reduced the amount of concrete required.

In September, the first exterior-visible structures began to take shape – including the staircases leading to the spectator sectors, built using a so-called sliding formwork system. Ten out of the 19 stair cores were to be constructed using this method. At the end of September, work on the underground levels, which were to house parking areas, was also accelerated. This stage was planned to be completed by early January.

The cornerstone laying ceremony took place on October 7, 2009, attended by national and local government officials as well as representatives of various religions and denominations. By the end of January 2010, the first of 72 steel roof ring segments had arrived in Warsaw – each segment measured 12.5 meters in length and weighed around 48 tons.

In early July 2010, the installation of the compression ring – a key structural component of the stadium’s roof – was completed. The next stage involved installing 60-meter-long tie cables, delivered in two parts and joined on-site. Together with columns and struts, these formed the structure supporting the roof and four large video screens suspended above the pitch. On August 13, 2010, it was announced that the assembly of all 2,100 prefabricated stand elements, accommodating 58,500 spectators, was complete. A few days later, all concreting work was finalized.

On December 16, a press conference was held at the headquarters of the National Sports Centre to discuss the big lift operation – one of the most complex engineering tasks in Europe. This operation involved tensioning the roof’s supporting cables using the synchronized power of 72 hydraulic jacks. The cables were connected to the central spire, which was lifted to its designated height, allowing the remaining tie cables at level -2 to be attached and tensioned.

At the beginning of 2011, roof structure assembly was completed, and the same day, a topping-out ceremony took place, attended by Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Warsaw Mayor Hanna Gronkiewicz-Waltz.

According to the original schedule, construction was to be completed by June 30, 2011, and the stadium opened to visitors on July 22. The official opening was set for August 27 – the event was to feature a cultural performance by Stylianou, Piróg, Zień, and Sztaba, with musical acts including Perfect, Myslovitz, Maanam, and Wilki. In the end, only the external illumination was turned on that day, and the inauguration was postponed to January 2012.

In the meantime, in May 2011, construction issues with the staircases were revealed, delaying the project by three months. Instead of the originally planned monolithic construction, prefabricated stair elements were mounted on-site. This led to leakage of the adhesive mortar and posed a risk of structural failure. Instead of demolishing the stairs, the structure was reinforced with additional supports.

Ultimately, the official deadline of July 30, 2011, was abandoned, and several planned events were canceled. In the meantime, two public open days were organized – on July 24 and October 2 – to allow the public to see the stadium’s progress.

Construction officially ended on November 29, 2011. The next day, NCS President Rafał Kapler submitted an application for occupancy to the District Construction Supervision Inspectorate. Work on the reinforced concrete pitch slab was completed on January 25, 2012 – the same day, conditional permission was granted for use of that part of the stadium. Two weeks later, installation of the heating, irrigation systems, and turf was completed, marking the final stage of construction.

What did inauguration of National Stadium in Warsaw look like?

The official opening of the National Stadium took place on January 29, 2012, with concerts by Voo Voo & Haydamaky, Zakopower, Coma, T.Love, and Lady Pank, culminating in a fireworks display.

What does National Stadium in Warsaw look like?

The new stadium was built on the site of the former Stadion Dziesięciolecia, located in an old riverbed of the Vistula River. The foundations of the new structure were based on the earth embankments remaining from the previous facility, whose stability was verified with trial pilings – concerns regarding soil durability and potential discoveries (such as unexploded ordnance or human remains) proved unfounded.

The pitch sits 8 meters higher than the old one, with a two-level underground car park for about 1,800 vehicles built beneath it. Access is provided through both pre-existing tunnels and new routes constructed as part of the investment.

The stadium welcomes between 2,000 and 3,000 visitors daily. During sporting events, the stands can hold 58,274 spectators, while for concerts this number can increase to 72,900 (including 106 seats adapted for people with disabilities).

The total volume of the stadium, excluding the roof, exceeds 1 million cubic meters, and the usable floor area amounts to over 203,000 square meters. The roof spans 240 by 270 meters, and the lower promenade is 924 meters long. Above the pitch, a spire rises 100 meters above ground. The stadium also houses the largest conference center in the capital (for 1,600 attendees), an underground parking lot for 1,765 vehicles, 965 toilets, four restaurants, a fitness club, a pub, and 69 VIP boxes. Additionally, 900 media workstations were prepared.

The stadium’s façade reflects Poland’s national colors – white and red – and resembles a waving flag. A silver-and-red mesh covers the inner aluminum-and-glass elevation. Due to its open structure and lack of full enclosure, the internal temperature closely matches the outside temperature, even when the roof is closed. This open design also allows for natural ventilation and daylight to reach the spaces beneath the stands.

The original design included a retractable, modular turf system, but its installation was suspended by the Ministry of Sport. The pitch is equipped with a heating system. Despite efforts by the National Sports Centre, UEFA deemed the turf quality insufficient before Euro 2012, resulting in the need for an expensive replacement. The drainage system used during this process was simplified compared to the one implemented for the championship.

In total, 900 media workstations were installed, along with over 4,600 premium seats, 800 in VIP boxes, and 106 for individuals with disabilities. The seats were supplied by Forum Seating, part of the Nowy Styl Group. The stand structure was not designed to allow removal of the front rows, which prevents the stadium from hosting track and field events. The seating capacity meets UEFA requirements for hosting Europa League and Super Cup finals, but not Champions League finals.

The stadium’s lower levels include 130,000 square meters of technical and utility facilities. The structure has eight levels – the highest point of the stands rises 41 meters above the pitch of the old stadium, while the roof reaches 70 meters.

The retractable roof is made of PTFE-coated fiberglass, resistant to weather conditions. Opening or closing it takes about 20 minutes and can only be done at temperatures above 5°C. The total weight of the supporting cables is 1,200 tons, and the roof structure includes four large LED screens. The roof was manufactured in Thailand at Asia Membrane Co. Ltd., and the technology was provided by the German company Hightex.

At level -3 of the stadium, facing Wybrzeże Szczecińskie Street, there is an interfaith chapel open to athletes, staff, and fans of various religions. The consecration was conducted by representatives of three faiths: Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. The interior contains no permanent religious symbols, and its main features are a colonnade and light – a universal symbol of the sacred.

The stadium includes 50 specially designated seats for blind spectators and their caregivers, located among the general audience. Each person is provided with a headset offering customized audio descriptions of the event, allowing for fuller participation in matches.

What can be found around National Stadium in Warsaw?

In front of the Arena stands a sculpture by Adam Roman, depicting three running men passing a relay baton. Alongside the decision to build the National Stadium, it was decided to preserve certain elements of the former facility – including the honorary stand’s eagle plaque, a memorial to Ryszard Siwiec, and the sculpture Sztafeta (Relay). The statue underwent a month-long renovation in 2008, costing $12,500. Despite support from the artistic community, efforts to fund a bronze casting have so far been unsuccessful.

The historic pavilion was built in the second half of the 1950s and originally served as the changing rooms for Stadion Dziesięciolecia. Today, it houses the stadium’s administrative offices.

On March 26, 2015, a monument to Kazimierz Górski – the legendary coach of the Polish national football team – was unveiled next to the National Stadium. The bronze statue stands 3.5 meters tall and was created by sculptor Marek Maślaniec.

In June 2018, the promenade surrounding the stadium – near the Kazimierz Górski statue – saw the unveiling of the first plaques featuring hand and foot imprints of Polish football legends. Honored individuals included Zbigniew Boniek, Włodzimierz Lubański, Grzegorz Lato, Władysław Żmuda, and Jan Tomaszewski. Deceased players also commemorated were Gerard Cieślik, Kazimierz Deyna, and Włodzimierz Smolarek. Ultimately, the Avenue of Stars is planned to stretch over a kilometer.

What is National Stadium in Warsaw officially called?

Although on June 28, 2012, the Polish Parliament adopted a resolution calling for the National Stadium to be named after Kazimierz Górski, the decision was not formally implemented until October 10, 2021. From that day, the stadium officially bears the name of the legendary coach of the Polish national team.

Between 2015 and 2020, the stadium operated under the name PGE Narodowy – in line with a sponsorship agreement between the facility’s operator and the Polish Energy Group (PGE). The contract was worth approximately $10,000,000, making it the most expensive naming rights deal in the country. In 2021, the parties signed an annex to the contract that extended it to account for the period during which the stadium operated as a temporary hospital for COVID-19 patients. That same year, the naming rights agreement was renewed again for another five years.

How much did National Stadium in Warsaw cost?

The initial estimated cost of the stadium's construction was $392,500,000, but during the project’s execution, it rose to over $500,000,000. This amount did not include the value of the land (which belonged to the State Treasury), and the final cost may have increased further due to claims filed by the company Alpine Bau Deutschland.

Was National Stadium in Warsaw a “fortress”?

For many years, the National Stadium was considered a true fortress for the Polish national football team. From their defeat against Ukraine in 2013 until the match against Hungary in 2021, the White and Reds remained unbeaten at the venue for nearly eight years. During that time, top-tier national teams such as Germany, Portugal, and Denmark failed to win in Warsaw.

What sporting events have taken place at National Stadium in Warsaw?

The National Stadium in Warsaw has hosted numerous prestigious sporting events of both international and domestic importance. It has been the venue for Polish national team matches, including World Cup and European Championship qualifiers, as well as friendly games. Since 2014, the Polish Cup Final has also been held here every year on May 2.

Among the most spectacular events was the UEFA Europa League Final on May 27, 2015, where Sevilla FC defeated Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk 3–2. On August 14, 2024, the stadium also hosted the UEFA Super Cup Final, in which Real Madrid triumphed over Atalanta Bergamo with a 2–0 victory.

The stadium has also been the site of notable club friendlies, including the 2014 Super Match between Real Madrid and Fiorentina, and a 2012 game between Legia Warsaw and Sevilla FC.

It has served as a venue for other sports as well, including the opening matches of the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship (2014) and the CEV European Championship (2017), as well as events in athletics, speedway (FIM Speedway Grand Prix series), MMA (notably the KSW Colosseum gala), American football, and a record-breaking paramotor flight under the closed stadium roof.

What non-sporting events have taken place at National Stadium in Warsaw?

The National Stadium in Warsaw is also one of Poland’s most important concert and event venues. As early as January 2012, it was inaugurated with a free concert titled Here I Am, featuring performances by Voo Voo, Zakopower, Coma, T.Love, and Lady Pank. In the years that followed, the stadium hosted some of the biggest stars from both the global and Polish music scenes.

During the 2013 edition of the Orange Warsaw Festival, Beyoncé performed alongside acts such as Basement Jaxx and Tinie Tempah. The following year, during a three-day edition of the same festival, the lineup included Kings of Leon, Queens of the Stone Age, Pixies, Florence and the Machine, Outkast, and David Guetta.

In July 2014, the stadium shook to the sounds of heavy guitars during the Sonisphere Festival, headlined by Metallica. The following years saw the rise of the recurring event Roztańczony PGE Narodowy (Dancing PGE National), attracting hundreds of thousands of fans of dance and disco polo music – from artists like Boys and Akcent to younger-generation performers such as Smolasty, Tribbs, and Blanka.

In 2023, the stadium hosted KPOP Nation – the first Korean music festival in Poland – featuring groups such as The Boyz, (G)I-DLE, and Monsta X. In June 2024, the venue welcomed tens of thousands of fans from across Europe for a two-day Taylor Swift concert. One month later, in July 2024, the Warsaw Rocks festival featured performances by Scorpions, Europe, and other rock legends. Another edition of Roztańczony PGE Narodowy is scheduled to return in September 2025.

The stadium has also hosted numerous religious, patriotic, and social events. Several prayer gatherings were held there as part of the Jesus at the Stadium series with Father John Baptist Bashobora, drawing tens of thousands of worshippers. In 2016, the stadium was the venue for the NATO Summit, and in 2019, it hosted an international conference on Middle East security.

Family-friendly military picnics, events linked to National Sports Day, and commemorative concerts have also taken place there – including the Concert for the Independent in 2018 to celebrate the centenary of Poland regaining independence.