Currently, the city under the hills has five main football stadiums. One of them was recently fully modernized, and the reconstruction of the stadium for another major Plovdiv team is expected to be completed by next year. Unfortunately, the remaining stadiums are in a rather neglected condition, and their fate is relatively uncertain.
“Plovdiv” Stadium
“Plovdiv” Stadium (formerly known as “9th of September” Stadium) is the largest stadium in Bulgaria. It is located in the Recreation and Culture Park, near the Rowing channel, with a seating capacity of 55 000. It was built according to the design of architect Vladimir Rangelov and officially opened in 1950, with 30 000 seats at the time.
It was extensively reconstructed in 1962, when a second tier was added to section A and parts of sections B and G, increasing the seating capacity. Four reinforced concrete lighting towers were also installed.
In 1991, the remaining part of the second tier in section C was built. Unfortunately, due to lack of funding, the renovation was halted before the facility could be fully completed.
The stadium mostly hosted derby matches between the four Plovdiv teams and games from the national football league.
In 1990, it hosted the World Junior Athletics Championships, and one of the most iconic events held there was a Metallica concert.
Currently, it is not operational.
“Todor Diev” Stadium
This is the home stadium of “Spartak” and is located in the Southern district, near the Central Railway Station and Rodopi Bus Station. It has a capacity of 5000 seats for people and was built by a decision of Plovdiv Municipality on October 20 1925.
The first official football match was played there on May 23 1926. Shortly after, the field was enclosed with a stone wall, and an athletics track and a grandstand with dressing rooms were constructed.
Between 1984 and 1986, it underwent significant reconstruction, and in 1999 it was named after “Spartak”’s greatest footballer – Todor Diev.
Currently, it is demolished and extremely run-down, due to the construction of the Railway Station Underpass. Only the gymnastics sports hall from the complex is still in use.
FC Spartak currently trains at the former “Rabotnicheski” Stadium.
“Hristo Botev” Stadium
This is the second-largest stadium in Plovdiv, located in the Kamenitsa district. It was built between 1959 and 1961 on the site of the former St. Augustine park-field, based on a design by architect Anton Karavelov. The field was previously owned by the Catholic College in Plovdiv, which is why the stadium is also known as “The College”(“Koleja”) It was officially opened on May 14 1961, with a seating capacity of 35 000 seats.
It was renovated in 1973–1974 to create a modern sports base, and in 1977 it was expanded with a rhythmic gymnastics hall.
Most recently, on April 29 2023, after a decade-long hiatus, the stadium was completely modernized and reopened with an official match between “Botev” and “Levski”. It is now one of the most modern stadiums in Bulgaria and is used by both the club team and the national team.
Lokomotiv Stadium
This is the main ground for PFC “Lokomotiv” in Plovdiv. It was built in 1982 and is located in Lauta Park as part of a sports complex of the same name, which includes the stadium, three training fields, tennis courts, a volleyball hall, and an indoor athletics facility. At the time of construction, it was designed to accommodate 24 000 spectators.
In 2004, when “Lokomotiv” Plovdiv became national champions, the northwest stand of the stadium collapsed. A few months earlier, this section had been declared unsafe and access to spectators was restricted.
Several additional reconstructions and major repairs have taken place since. Currently, the central stand is under construction and is expected to be completed by July 25 2026, when the club will celebrate its 100th anniversary.
“Maritsa” Stadium
This stadium is located in the “Zaharna Fabrika” area of the Karshiyaka district. It has a capacity of 5000 seats and has been used by FC “Maritsa” since 1939. Although it hasn't been renovated in a long time, the stadium is in good condition, and matches are regularly played there.
Тhere are no comments yet.