Stadion Widzewa

Stadion Miejski, or Stadion Miejski Widzewa Łódź, is a football stadium in Łódź, Poland. It is the home stadium of Widzew Łódź. The stadium has an all-seater capacity of about 18,000. The previous stadium has a capacity of 10,500 seats, with only part of the West Stand covered. It was demolished in early 2015 to make way for the new stadium.

New Stadium of Widzew Łódź

Aerial view of the reconstructed stadium in 2017

Old ground

Stadion Widzewa

Stadion Miejski
Location	Łódź, Poland
Owner	Lodz City Council
Capacity	18,008
Field size	106 m × 70 m (348 ft × 230 ft)
Surface	Grass
Construction
Opened	May 30, 1930 2017
Closed	November 2014
Demolished	Early 2015
Construction cost	138M PLN (2014)
Tenants
Widzew Łódź, Budowlani Łódź (some games)

Redevelopment 2015

After many proposals over the years and speculation about a replacement for Widzew Stadium (including for UEFA Euro 2012), a definitive redevelopment was started in 2014. Until the stadium is complete Widzew will play their home games at Piotrków Trybunalski.

In October 2014 plans for a new 18,018 seater stadium were announced. It is intended the stadium will be completed by November 2016. The main contractor will be Lodz Mosty. Lodz Mosty had until 24 January 2015 to present a finalised stadium design. Unlike previous proposals all seats will be covered. The exterior will be clad in red-brick and transparent back-lit panels. The West Grandstand will continue to be the main stand. It will contain the changing rooms, gym, 24 corporate boxes, 8 commentary boxes, 2 TV studios etc. The other 3 stands will have simpler facilities, and include space for 900-1200 visiting supporters. The pitch will be moves 20m to the east to accommodate the larger West Stand, encroaching on the current training pitch. With Widzew facing a second relegation in 2 years at the end of the 2014 season, the need for such a capacity is questionable as they only fill a fraction of their current, smaller stadium.

Local roads and tram-lines will also be upgraded. The tram upgrade is already well underway in 2014.

The stadium will also be designed to accommodate Rugby, including local club Budowlani S.A., and concerts. The North stand will be designed to incorporate a stage.[1][2][3][4]

This stadium will host the opening and final of the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup part of the six host cities in Poland.

References

1. "Tak będzie wyglądał stadion Widzewa". Przegląd Sportowy. October 30, 2014.
2. "Widzew Łódź - Stadion". widzew.com.
3. "Tak będzie wyglądał stadion dla Widzewa. Poznaj kolejne szczegóły i zobacz wizualizacje". Sport.pl.
4. "Po pokazaniu wizualizacji. Gdzie będzie trenować Widzew? Co jest problemem przy budowie stadionu? [SZCZEGÓŁY + ZDJĘCIA]". Sport.pl.

Sources

• (in Polish) Stadion Widzewa Łódź
• Lodzpost.com: Home is where the heart is - last game at the old stadium

See also

• Ekstraklasa venues

Preceded by Suwon World Cup Stadium Suwon	FIFA U-20 World Cup Final Venue 2019	Succeeded by TBA