In Ostrava, a city stadium renovated for a billion will open on Friday

Ostrava - The City Stadium in Ostrava-Vítkovice is set to celebrate its grand opening on Friday after an extensive reconstruction costing nearly a billion crowns. The event will culminate with an international football match between the Czech Republic and Serbia. Mayor Tomáš Macura (ANO) reported this to journalists today. Following the modernization that began in 2012, the stadium now meets the conditions for hosting international events.

During two phases of renovation, new eastern, southern, and northern stands were built, and the western stand was renovated. The pitch and access roads, as well as engineering networks and lighting, were also repaired, and new grass and tartan were laid.

"Currently, the stadium has a maximum capacity of 15,000 seated spectators and meets all conditions and certifications for hosting national and international sporting events in athletics and football," the mayor stated. He added that the Golden Spike athletic meeting in Ostrava now has the chance to become one of the elite meetings of the Diamond League worldwide, thanks in part to the new stadium. "Additionally, Ostrava will host the Continental Cup in Athletics in 2018," he added.

"The City Stadium also meets the strict criteria of the FAČR, UEFA, and FIFA for hosting first league, international cup, and international football matches," Macura stated.

This Friday, the stadium will host an international friendly match against Serbia. According to city representatives, it has been 15 years since the Czech national team last played in Ostrava, with the last match against Slovenia taking place in 2000 at the Bazaly Stadium.

Fans planning to attend the football match should anticipate a more complex traffic situation. In the hall opposite the city stadium, a hockey match will be played between the teams Vítkovice and Třinec, which has been rescheduled to start at 16:30. The football match will begin at 20:30, and the football stadium will open for spectators from 19:00.

According to Deputy Mayor for Transport Ivo Hařovský (ČSSD), both matches are expected to be sold out. Therefore, the city anticipates that vehicles will park not only around both sports facilities but also in the Lower Area of Vítkovice. Approximately 3,600 parking spaces will be prepared. Public transport between the sports facilities and the Lower Area of Vítkovice will also be strengthened.