Slovaks have started constructing a national football stadium in Bratislava

Bratislava - After years of delays, the construction of the national football stadium began today in Bratislava. The arena, with a capacity of approximately 22,000 spectators, was supposed to be completed with state financial support no later than 2018. It will be built on the site of the former Tehelné pole stadium, which historically hosted matches of the Czechoslovak national team and federal derbies and has since been demolished.

"A weight has been lifted off my heart. After so many years, we have reached the point where we will begin construction. By the end of the year, the rough structure will be completed, and in the following months, we will also finish the stadium," said entrepreneur Ivan Kmotrík to reporters, who is behind the football club Slovan Bratislava and also the investor of the stadium.

Prime Minister Robert Fico, on the occasion of the groundbreaking ceremony, stated that the idea of creating a joint Czech-Slovak league is coming to life, which he believes could enhance the quality of football.

The national football stadium, including related commercial spaces, will be built by a private investor, who has been allocated a grant of 27.2 million euros (734 million crowns) from the government for this purpose. Upon completion, the private company will be able to offer the sporting part of the complex to the state, with the total purchase price, including the mentioned grant, not exceeding approximately 75 million euros (two billion crowns) excluding VAT.

The contract for nearly 50 million euros (1.35 billion crowns) to construct the stadium has been awarded to the company Strabag. However, according to Kmotrík, the contract does not include the equipment for the stadium, such as the camera system or turnstiles, which could cost an additional approximately 20 million euros (540 million crowns).

According to earlier statements by Education Minister Peter Plavčan, Slovakia is the only country in Europe that does not have a modern stadium for international football matches in its capital.

The Slovak national team plays home games, for example, at the stadium in Trnava, which was opened last year after complete modernization. In addition to the grant for the upcoming national football stadium, the Slovak government has previously approved 45 million euros (1.2 billion crowns) for the renovation of around twenty other venues, the largest amount of which was allocated specifically for the stadium in Trnava.