Romania is a sports loving country, with soccer being the most popular field sports in the country. The Romanians are also passionate about handball, basketball and rugby – by and large in the given order. Naturally, Romania is home to some spectacular stadiums and sports venues with the 55,000-seater Arena Națională in capital Bucharest taking the pride of place.
With an eye on UEFA Euro 2020, Romania is pushing ahead with major stadium development and renovation projects with around 10 already at various stages of construction, four of which are coming up in Bucharest.
The Ghencea, Dinamo, Giuleşti and Rugby stadiums, all in Bucharest are being heavily funded by the government through National Investment Company (NIC). “The reconstruction of four stadiums, Ghencea, Dinamo, Giuleşti and Arc de Triomphe (rugby), which will serve as training grounds for participants in Euro 2020 will cost €105 million,” NIC director Manuela Pătrăşcoiu has been quoted saying in Romanian media reports.
“We will rebuild the four stadiums that will be accessible to all and will total over 70,000 seats. Eight thousand will be the Arc de Triomphe, the stadium Giulesti 18,000, 20,000 and 30,000 at the Dinamo and Ghencea. Funding will be provided by the Ministry of Regional Development and the estimated cost is about €1,500 per seat in the stands,” said Pătrăşcoiu.
In addition, three modern stadiums are under construction in Craiova, Targu Jiu and Arad. Bacau and Timisoara are also building stadiums of their own.
Here’s a low-down on the top ongoing stadium projects in Romania:
BUCHAREST
- Giulesti-Valentin Stanescu Stadium – Romanian architectural firm Vanel-Exim’s design has been selected for the renovation of FC Rapid Bucharest’s home stadium. The contract has been awarded for the preparation of the preliminary feasibility study and the final project will be announced in 2018. The stadium will have between 18,000 to 20,000 seats and the project deadline is kept at July 2019.
- Dinamo Stadium – This is another renovation project from an old stadium. A new home is being planned for the FC Dinamo Bucharest with a seating capacity of 20,000. A ministerial decision is awaited before the project takes off. The target date of completion is kept at 2020.
- Stadium Ghencea – The old home ground of FC Steaua Bucharest will be demolished and give way to a brand new 30,000-seater as part of this renovation project. A preliminary feasibility study is being prepared for the final project with a expected dated of completion by July 2019.
- Bucharest Rugby Stadium (Arc de Triomphe) – This new stadium is being built by the Romanian Rugby Federation. The construction is expected to start in the next few months. The 8,000-seat stadium is expected to be completed by the end of 2018.
ARAD
- Stadionul Francisc von Neumann – In 2014, the old multi-purpose Francisc von Neumann stadium was demolished to make way for a new, modern, exclusively for football, all-seater stadium. The new stadium, being built by architect Radu Puica, will have a capacity of 12,700 seats, and will also include offices, a press club, a press center, VIP hospitality, a restaurant and a hotel. Owned by the city of Arad, the stadium will continue to remain the home ground of FC UTA Arad. The project has received 50%, additional funding from the government. While earlier reports suggested that the new stadium will be ready by 2017, as of now the official date for completion remains unknown.
BACAU
- Stadionul Municipal (Bacau) – Another old stadium demolished to give way for a brand new successor. The new 20,000-seat stadium will be located in the district of CFR. The project includes construction of a sports hall, training ground, athletics track and hotel. Home to FCM Bacau, the facilities at the new stadium are being built to resemble Israel’s Haifa International Stadium, according to reports.
CRAIOVA
- Stadium Nou Ion Oblemenco – The old Ion Oblemenco Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium in Craiova, Romania. It was used mostly for football matches and was the home ground of Universitatea Craiova. The stadium used to hold up to 25,252 people before it was demolished. The stadium was entirely demolished and will be replaced with a 30,000-seater expected to complete in August 2017. The new stadium will serve as the home ground for CS Pandurii Targu Jiu. It has been designed by Romanian firm Dico si Tiganas, Construction company CONI from Sibiu has overseen 80% work of the project.
TARGU JIU
- Nou Stadium Targu Jiu – This 15,000-capacity modern stadium will be inaugurated by the end of this year in Targu Jiu. The stadium will be jointly owned by the city of Targu Jiu and the National Investment Company. Construction company CONI from Sibiu has overseen 60% work of the project.
TIMISOARA
- Nou Stadium and Arena – Another major sports project in Romania is awaiting fruition. New stadium for up to 35,000 people and an indoor arena of 13,000-15,000 are to be built in Timisoara. This may end a long-lasting ordeal for the largest western city of Romania, which failed time and again to modernize the dated sports infrastructure on its own. The new stadium is expected to be ready by the end of 2018. It will serve as the home ground to ACS Poli Timisoara.
Latest updates on Romania’s stadium projects are expected to be revealed at Coliseum Summit EUROPE, March 29-30, 2017 at Budapest, Hungary.
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