Košická Futbalová Aréna – stadium description

What is Košická Futbalová Aréna like in a nutshell?

Košická Futbalová Aréna is a football stadium located in the southern part of Košice, the second largest city in Slovakia. The stadium ranks among the most modern in the country, and is hosted by FC Košice. The facility has a capacity of 12,555 spectators and meets UEFA Category 4 requirements.

The stadium was completed in two phases. The first stage was carried out between 2018 and 2022, at which time stands were built along the pitch, including the main stand with backstage facilities. The capacity after the opening of the two stands was just under 6,000 spectators, and the first match was played at the stadium on February 12, 2022.

As part of the second stage of construction, the missing stands behind the goals were built, and the stadium received a coherent, closed form. The second phase of the project was carried out in 2023–2024.

How did the construction of the new football stadium in Košice happen?

In 1997, the 30,000-seat Všešportový areál was closed down due to planned reconstruction. However, the work never came to fruition, and the stadium was permanently out of use until it was demolished in 2011. The main football venue in Košice thus became Lokomotívy's Štadión, which is, however, far from meeting high standards.

Even in the first decade of the 21st century, the state of football infrastructure in Slovakia looked very poor. However, this eventually began to change with the construction of modern facilities in Bratislava, Trnava or Dunajská Streda and the modernisation of smaller stadiums. Also in Košice, the second largest city in the country, serious discussions began about building a new arena.

In order to build a new stadium, on June 16 2014 the city established the Košická Futbalová Aréna a.s., which was to be responsible for the construction and subsequent management of the new facility. In the same year, a €4 million grant was obtained from the Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport, as well as an interest-free, 10-year loan of €8 million from the Ministry of Finance.

The new stadium was to be built in the southern part of the city, not far from the site of the former Všešportový areál. In order to keep the previously raised funds, construction had to start before the end of 2015, so preparatory work and archaeological research began in November 2015. In the following years, however, construction did not go beyond site preparation work.

Who designed the new football stadium in Košice?

The first, unrealized plans called for the construction of a stadium for 9080 spectators. The final design was prepared by HESCON and adif architects. The main architect of the stadium was Csaba Ambrus. The concept was to create a modern, football-specific facility with a simple, rectangular form and single-level stands around the pitch. The stadium was to hold 12,625 spectators and meet UEFA Category IV requirements.

The architectural concept of Košická Futbalová Aréna can be viewed on a separate subpage

When was the first phase of construction of the new football stadium in Košice carried out?

The tender for the construction of the stadium was announced in February 2017, but it was not awarded until March 2018. The consortium of AVA-stav and OHL ŽS SK became the main contractor. The contract was signed on April 17, 2018, with a value of €19.47 million. The first months after the contract was signed were mainly devoted to the preparation of design documentation and obtaining permits.

The symbolic start of the actual construction work took place on October 29, 2018. Due to budgeting problems, it was decided to divide the construction into phases. Initially, two stands along the pitch were to be built, the realisation of the stands behind the goals was to take place next and was conditional on securing funding. The first phase was to be completed by the end of 2019.

The anticipated commissioning date could not be met. Due to an increase in UEFA and national association requirements, necessary changes were made to the project and the total cost increased to €20.82 million, with the first phase expected to cost more than €16 million. Construction was also hampered by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The two new stands were completed at the end of 2020. In January 2021, commissioning was carried out, but the facility still lacked equipment and turf. Finally, it was only after a year that the stadium was able to be put into use, and the first meeting - a friendly match between FC Košice and FK Slavoj Trebišov (2:0) - was played on February 12, 2022. In the end, the first phase of the investment cost just over €17 million.

When did the Košická Futbalová Aréna receive the missing stands behind the goals?

An account of the second stage of construction of the Košická Futbalová Aréna can be seen on a separate subpage

When the first stage of construction was completed, the new stadium had two stands along the pitch, including the main stand with backstage facilities. The facility was fully functional, with a capacity of 5836 spectators, and received UEFA Category 3, with FC Košice as the host club. However, the venue lacked the stands behind the goals to be fully completed.

In December 2021, the Slovak government approved another €4 million in funding to complete the project. The rest of the needed funds were obtained by the city through a loan.

Completion of the second phase was originally to be carried out under the existing contract for the entire stadium, and should cost €4.6 million. However, due to rising prices, the contractor demanded an additional €1.14 million. The city refused to agree to these conditions and decided to issue a new tender, which took place in the summer of 2022.

The tender was awarded in January 2023, and the winner was AVA-stav (which also participated in the first stage of construction), with a bid of €5.86 million. Construction of the missing stands behind the goals (including the corners) began on April 17, 2023.

During the construction of the new stands, the stadium continued to host matches, and the FC Košice that played there was promoted to the top division in 2023. The team secured promotion on May 12, 2023, a round before the end of the competition, winning 2–0 at home against Spartak Myjava.

When did the stands behind the goals at the new Košice stadium open?

The new stands behind the goals were ready in the spring of 2024, and the first match in which they were made available to fans took place on April 27, 2024 (FC Košice's league game against FC ViOn Zlaté Moravce, 0–2). A few days later, on May 1, the stadium hosted the final of the Slovak Cup (Slovnaft Cup). In the final, MFK Ružomberok defeated Spartak Trnava 1–0.

On July 22, 2024, the official inauguration of the stadium was held (although the stadium had been in operation since the beginning of 2022, no official opening was actually held before the stands behind the goals were built). The inauguration included a friendly match between FC Košice and a renowned team from the Italian capital, AS Roma. The game ended in a 1–1 draw.

The construction of the stands behind the goals, after additional tasks, eventually closed at just under €7.2 million, bringing the total cost of the stadium (two phases) to around €24.2 million.

What are the characteristics of the Košická Futbalová Aréna?

The capacity of the stadium after the opening of the new stands behind the goals is 12,555 spectators. The stands feature folding seats that form a mosaic composed of white and shades of gray. The auditorium is fully covered by a roof with glazed ending sections, and floodlights have been mounted on the roof. The stadium is equipped with a pitch with heated turf.

The main stand is located on the west side. It has been equipped with, among other things, four locker rooms, a medical office, technical facilities, social and administrative rooms, media areas, restaurants and even a chapel. The sub-tribune received four floors (including one underground), and from the outside the building takes the form of a glass pavilion.

Other parts of the stands are shielded from the outside by a steel substructure clad in a translucent gray material. The facade has been given an original, granular form and gives the stadium an elegant look. At night, the facility can be illuminated. Parking spaces and green areas have also been created around the stadium.

Who does the Košická Futbalová Aréna serve?

The facility meets UEFA Category 4 requirements, and is hosted by FC Košice football club. Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the stadium also hosts some of the Ukrainian teams' matches in European cups.

The stadium is to be one of the venues for the European Under-21 Championship, which will be held in Slovakia in 2025. On occasion, the country's national football team is to play there. The facility can also host a variety of non-sporting events and activities.