Stadion Miejski „Odra” – stadium description

When was the stadium on Oleska Street in Opole built?

The Municipal Stadium in Opole was built back when the city was still part of Germany. Its construction began in the late 1920s and coincided with the period of the Great Depression, and many unemployed people were put to work there at the time.

The facility was commissioned in 1930, and was not given a special name so it was known simply as Oppelner Stadion (Opole Stadium). In the following years, a swimming pool (behind the western curve) and tennis courts (behind the northern stand) were also built, thus creating a sports complex. The pool and courts, moreover, still serve today.

The stadium was erected near the Opole Wschodnie (Oppeln Ost) train station, on Oleska Street (Rosenbergstrasse), opposite the late 19th-century waterworks plant (along with the historic, over 50-meter-high water tower, which is perfectly visible from the stadium).

Before World War II, the facility had no dedicated host and served athletes from all over the city. The stadium had an athletics track and stands made of earthen embankments. During the war, rallies and military ceremonies were held at the stadium, and at the end of the conflict a local Volkssturm unit was established here.

When did Odra Opole become the host of the Oleska Street stadium?

In January 1945, the Red Army captured Opole, and the former residents were evacuated deep into Germany. In March, representatives of the Polish authorities arrived in the city and settlers from the Eastern Borderlands began arriving, reaching the train station next to the stadium – adjacent to it was a camp for displaced persons.

As early as June 16, 1945, a new club, Odra Opole (for a period also as Budowlani), was established and became the new host of the stadium. The team from the 1950s to the early 1980s played in the top division with great regularity.

What results did Odra Opole achieve at the Oleska Street stadium?

Among Odra Opole's greatest successes was 3rd place in the first division in the 1963/64 season. In the 1977/78 season, the team appeared in the UEFA Cup, falling in the first round against 1. FC Magdeburg. Before that, Odra also played in the Intertoto Cup.

In 1978, after the first half of the season, Odra led the table, and on November 19, 1978, at a match against Ruch Chorzow, a stadium attendance record was set (25,000 spectators). Odra eventually finished the season in fifth place in the table.

In the 1970s, the team was led by coach Antoni Piechniczek, and the players included goalkeeper Jozef Mlynarczyk and Jozef Klose, father of Miroslav Klose, Germany national team player, World Champion (2014) and World Cup top scorer (2006).

Since the 1980s there has been a regression of Odra Opole, although the team at times still remained on the second league level. The crisis culminated in the club's bankruptcy in 2009. However, the team was able to revive itself, and as of 2017 was again playing in the second division.

Among others, Robert Lewandowski played at the Oleska Street stadium, while still playing for Znicz Pruszków – this took place on May 7, 2008, and Lewandowski then scored the only goal of the game, giving Znicz a 1–0 victory over Odra.

What other football events took place at the Oleska Street stadium in Opole?

The stadium hosted the Polish national team once, in a friendly match against Finland played on April 17, 1985. The match was won by Poland (2–1), who were led by former Odra coach Antoni Piechniczek.

The Opole stadium was also supposed to host a friendly match against Germany in 1996, but it was eventually played at the Górnik Zabrze stadium. On the other hand, youth national teams and the women's national team still played at Oleska Street.

On June 24, 1987, the Polish Cup final was also played at the stadium, where Śląsk Wrocław faced GKS Katowice. The game ended 0–0, and the team from Wrocław won after a series of penalty kicks (4–3).

The 1980s and 1990s were a period when hooligan incidents occurred at the stadium in Opole.

What non-football events took place at the Oleska Street stadium in Opole?

In 1962, one of the stages of the Peace Race finished at the stadium. In 1971, in turn, the stadium was the venue of the Central Harvest Festival (Dożynki Centralne). It was a great event at the time, attended by the First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Polish United Workers' Party, Edward Gierek.

How has the stadium on Oleska Street in Opole changed?

The stadium has not undergone too many transformations over the years, and among the most important was the construction of a new reinforced concrete main stand on the south side between 2000 and 2002. Another important change was the installation of characteristic floodlight masts, which had their debut on April 17, 1975 during the match against Sparta Zabrze (2–0).

The 1960s also saw the construction of a club building on the eastern curve, and until 1976 there was an athletics track in the stadium. In the 21st century, mainly ad hoc modernizations were carried out.

Could a second new stand have been built at the Oleska Street stadium in Opole?

In 2008 preparations began for the construction of a second new stand, on the north side. An architectural firm was selected, and in the summer of 2009 the first renderings were presented. However, the plans were protested by local residents, which slowed down the investment.

Although the city later obtained an environmental decision, the investment was ultimately not realized. Since the cost of the new stand was to be more than PLN 50 million, there were arguments that a modern stadium could be built from scratch for less than twice that amount. The crisis situation of Odra Opole was also a factor.

When was a new stadium built in Opole?

The construction of a new stadium in Opole had been discussed for some time, and the initiative gained momentum after Arkadiusz Wiśniewski, who was an ardent supporter of the project, became the new mayor of the city in 2014. After Odra's promotion to the I Liga (second division) in 2017, preparations to carry out the investment began.

The new stadium was decided to be built on Północna Street, on the northwestern outskirts of the city. Construction began in early 2022, and the opening of the facility took place on March 21, 2025. The new stadium is very modern and sustainable, with a capacity of 11,600 spectators.

What will happen to the facility on Oleska Street in Opole after the opening of the new stadium?

Odra Opole's last match at the old stadium was on November 9, 2024, against Warta Poznań. The game was watched by a full audience, and the match ended with a goalless score.

After Odra moves to the new stadium, the old facility is still to serve the club's reserves and youth teams. Ultimately, however, there are plans to build an aquapark in its place to complement the summer swimming pool located next to the stadium.