February 23 – The Croatian government and the city of Zagreb, in partnership with Dinamo Zagreb and the Croatian FA, have drafted a proposal to knock down and build a brand new Maksimir City Stadium on the same site.
The announcement of the project was made at the Maksimir Stadium and attended by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia Andrej Plenković , the Mayor of the City of Zagreb Tomislav Tomašević , the President of Dinamo Velimir Zajec , the President of the Croatian Football Association Marijan Kustić , the Deputy Mayor of the City of Zagreb Luka Korlaet, Dinamo coach Fabio Canavaro, and a number of other officials.
The project will cost €175 million and funding will be provided by the state and the City of Zagreb in equal parts. The new Maksimir will boast a 35,000-seat capacity.
A joint committee will be established to monitor the implementation of the agreement, and the City of Zagreb, with the consent of the joint committee, will conduct a tender for an international urban planning and architectural competition for the construction of the stadium. The project is scheduled to be completed in 2029.
The construction of the Maksimir Stadium is also linked to another very important infrastructure project in Zagreb. Before the demolition begins, the Kranjčevićeva Stadium must be rebuilt so it can be used by Dinamo Zagreb and the Croatian national team while the construction of the Maksimir is underway.
“I must admit that I am really very happy and fulfilled that we are here because this is truly a historic step in the construction of the new stadium in Maksimir. This is a problem that, realistically, has existed for perhaps more than 40 years. The project is important to me as a fan, as a citizen and as a mayor. The agreement was agreed after a series of meetings and I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Government for its cooperation. The new stadium in Maksimir will have a capacity of 35,000 seats. We have been checking different options, this is a historic location, a large part of the fans and citizens insist on it staying here”, said Tomašević.
According to the mayor, construction of the stadium in Kranjčevićeva should begin soon.
“This is an investment by the City of over €40 million and this stadium will be Dinamo’s temporary home while the old Maksimir is being demolished and a new one is being built. The City commissioned an investment study that showed that a commercial investment would not be in the City’s interest, and the Government agreed with this. Public-private partnership options would be too great a public risk. That is why we decided to make this a public investment,” Tomašević continued.
HNS President Marijan Kustić similarly did not hide his excitement, saying: “I am truly proud and happy to be able to greet you on such an occasion that makes us all happy. Dinamo is the locomotive of Croatian football, I congratulate you on all your successes. Winning greats like Chelsea, Arsenal or Milan shows what kind of club Dinamo is and how it works, and that continuously.
“I am glad that the Government of the Republic of Croatia recognizes the importance of sport in Croatia, which has been evident for many years. There were many skeptics in the past, but I am glad that the city, government and club found the best solution. There are special emotions when it comes to building a stadium and infrastructure because it is very important for Dinamo, for Croatian football, and also for our national team that loves to play here in Maksimir, the history of Croatian football was written there,” he continued.
The Croatian Football Federation has recently invested in more than 40 pitches across Croatia with facilities being seen as crucial for the development of the national game and talent.
“Dinamo is the flagship of the Croatian national team, the largest number of players come from this club. That’s why I’m happy about this step forward, the announcement of a new stadium that we all really want,” Kustić said.
“I can also announce that within ten days we will be able to announce the exact start of construction of our camp, which will be at the beginning of April. I congratulate everyone, thank you once again and I wish that we continue to work together in the interests of Croatian sport.”
Contact the writer of this story, Aleksander Krassimirov, at moc.l1740377210labto1740377210ofdlr1740377210owedi1740377210sni@o1740377210fni1740377210