August 21 – The Municipality of Plovdiv in Bulgaria is to provide the Hristo Botev and Lokomotiv stadiums to the country’s teams of Bulgaria free of charge.
The two stadiums in Plovdiv – the second largest city in Bulgaria – were built with city money, but the two Plovdiv teams – Botev and Lokomotiv – pay rent for their use. The stadiums are not yet fully finished, but matches are being played in both stadia.
Bulgaria has never played a national team home match at the Hristo Botev stadium. In the last two years, home matches have been played at the Huvepharma Arena – home of Bulgarian champions Ludogorets Razgrad.
Bulgaria’s first match at the Hristo Botev stadium in Plovdiv will be a friendly game against Iran, which will on September 7. On September 26, Bulgaria’s women’s national team will welcome Kosovo at Lokomotiv Stadium.
BFU said in a statement: “The Bulgarian Football Union expresses its sincere thanks to the Municipality of Plovdiv and personally to the mayor of the city, Zdravko Dimitrov, for the opportunity national teams of Bulgaria – men and women, to use the stadium Hristo Botev and the stadium Lokomotiv in Plovdiv free of charge for their upcoming matches in September.
“On 7.09. Mladen Kirstaich’s side welcome Iran in a friendly before visiting Montenegro three days later, with the match being played at the newly renovated Hristo Botev. On September 26, our women’s team will host Kosovo at Lokomotiv Stadium
“Another fruitful working meeting was held in Plovdiv to clarify the details of the tour of our national teams, which was attended by the Mayor Zdravko Dimitrov, the Deputy Mayor for Sports, Youth Activities and Social Policy Georgi Tityukov, the Technical Director of the Bulgarian Football Union Georgi Ivanov, as well as representatives of the BFU administration.”
Ivanov thanked Mayor Dimitrov for the assistance provided in the friendly match between Bulgaria and Iran to be held at the newest Bulgarian stadium.
“I am sure that it will be an honor for the Bulgarian national team to play at the newly built Hristo Botev stadium. We hope they will show their best and please the football supporters with a good game”, said Ivanov.
“For the first time, the Hristo Botev stadium will host a match of the national football team. This will be a historic meeting and a great pride for Plovdiv,” added Dimitrov.
Contact the writer of this story, Alexsander Krassimirov, at moc.l1729232630labto1729232630ofdlr1729232630owedi1729232630sni@o1729232630fni1729232630