The City of Zagreb has revealed plans for a complete redevelopment of the Stadion Kranjčevićeva, with the new-look venue intended to serve as a temporary home for the Croatian national team and HNL club GNK Dinamo Zagreb ahead of the intended delivery of a replacement for the historic Stadion Maksimir.
Stadion Kranjčevićeva currently houses Dinamo’s HNL rival, NK Lokomotiva, and will more than double in seating capacity under the plans. City-owned Stadion Kranjčevićeva first opened in 1921 and under the €44m (£36.54m/$46.55m) project, fully funded from the City budget, will be transformed under the Stadion Zagreb banner.
Capacity will increase from 5,350 seats to 11,163, with the new stadium falling in line with UEFA category four requirements. The original conceptual design was delivered by the Faculty of Architecture in Zagreb, with the main and executive design carried out by Sirrah Projekt.
All stands will be covered, with a heated hybrid pitch included. Its sustainability credentials will be aided by the inclusion of a solar power plant on the roof and vertical gardens, while the project will also include the delivery of a 6,300 square metre public plaza in front of the stadium.
The project has a building permit, with a public procurement process to secure a contractor being officially launched on Friday. The successful bidder is expected to be announced in February, with construction work commencing the following month. An 18-month timeline expects delivery of the new Stadion Zagreb in September 2026.
“After 50 years, by September 2026, Zagreb will get a new stadium, a modern stadium in Kranjčevićeva, which will serve many Zagreb sports clubs,” said Tomislav Tomašević, Mayor of Zagreb.
Deputy Mayor, Luka Korlaet, added: “The stadium, with its architecture and urbanism, gives quality to the whole of Trešnjevka. It is not only sports infrastructure, but also a new city landmark that affects the quality of the ambience of this part of the city.”
The City said the reconstruction and modernisation of Stadion Kranjčevićeva is necessary for the delivery of a new Stadion Maksimir, enabling the implementation of the architectural and urban planning competition.
Following the opening of Stadion Zagreb, demolition of the Maksimir is expected to begin. Stadion Maksimir was first opened in 1912 and, as well as being Dinamo’s home since 1948, has hosted many of the Croatian national team’s games. It has undergone extensive renovations on a number of occasions over the decades, but was badly damaged by an earthquake in March 2020.
In April 2021, Dinamo unveiled plans for a brand new 34,000-seat stadium that would be located in the same area as its current home.
Speaking at a press conference, Tomašević said talks are currently being held over financing and management models for a new stadium, adding that a solution is expected to be presented soon. “I believe that when the first shovel goes down on Kranjčevićeva, many of those who were sceptical that a new stadium will be built in Maksimir will start believing in it,” Tomašević stated.
