Kaftanzoglio Stadium
Kaftanzoglio Stadium (Greek: Καυτανζόγλειο στάδιο) is a sports stadium in Thessaloniki, Greece. The stadium was built with money donated by the Kaftanzoglou Foundation, in honour of Lysandros Kaftanzoglou, hence its name. At the time of its opening on 27 October 1960, the stadium was one of the highest quality stadiums in the Balkans.[1] It currently has 27,770 seats, owing to a comprehensive renovation before reopening to host football matches for the 2004 Summer Olympics, which was centered in Athens.[2] It was the largest stadium in Greece until 1982, but has since been surpassed in capacity by the Olympic Stadium in Athens.
Καυτανζόγλειο στάδιο | |
 UEFA   | |
| |
| Full name | Ethniko Stadion "Lysimachos Kaftanzoglou" |
|---|---|
| Location | Thessaloniki, Greece |
| Public transit | Panepistimio metro station (2020) |
| Owner | Hellenic Olympic Committee |
| Operator | City of Thessaloniki |
| Capacity | 27,770 |
| Field size | 105 x 68 m |
| Surface | Grass |
| Scoreboard | Yes |
| Construction | |
| Built | 1960 |
| Opened | 27 October 1960 |
| Renovated | 2004 |
| Construction cost | € 45,000,000 |
| Architect | G.Pantzaris |
| Tenants | |
| Iraklis FC (1960–2002, 2004–present) Doxa Drama FC (2011–2012) Veria FC (2013) | |
It has been the home stadium of Iraklis Thessaloniki F.C. since 1960.
On 15 October 1969, the attendance record was set with 47,458 fans present for a FIFA World Cup qualifying match, witnessing Greece defeat Switzerland by a 4–1 score. In 1973 it hosted the European Cup Winners Cup Final, which resulted in a 1–0 victory for A.C. Milan over Leeds United.
Athletics events
The stadium regularly plays host to athletics events; it features the European Athletics Association event "Olympic Meeting Thessaloniki" every year; it hosted the Greek national championships in 2009, and it has been used for both athletics at the Mediterranean Games and the European Cup in athletics. It was the host stadium for the 2009 IAAF World Athletics Final.[1]
References
- FACILITIES – KAFTANZOGLIO STADIUM Archived 2009-08-28 at the Wayback Machine. IAAF World Athletics Final Thessaloniki. Retrieved on 2009-09-08.
- 2004 Summer Olympics official report. Archived 2008-08-19 at the Wayback Machine Volume 2. p. 324.
External links
| Preceded by Camp Nou Barcelona |
European Cup Winners' Cup Final venue 1973 |
Succeeded by De Kuip Rotterdam |
