Ferencváros Stadion
 | |
 | |
| Full name | Groupama Arena |
|---|---|
| Location | Budapest, Hungary |
| Owner | Hungary |
| Operator | Lagardère Group |
| Executive suites | 34 skybox |
| Capacity | 24.000 |
| Field size | 105 × 68 m (344 × 223 ft) |
| Surface | Grass Field |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | 27 March 2013 |
| Built | 2013–14 |
| Opened | 10 August 2014 |
| Construction cost | c. 13,5 billion HUF (€ 40 million) |
| Main contractors | Market Építő Zrt. |
| Tenants | |
| Hungary national football team Ferencváros | |
Groupama Arena is a multi-purpose stadium in Budapest, Hungary and the home of Ferencvárosi TC.[1] With a capacity of 23,698, Groupama Arena is the second largest stadium in Hungary after Ferenc Puskás Stadium. The stadium lies on the ground of Albert Flórián Stadium, the club's former stadium, which was demolished in 2013.
History
On 13 April 2012, the plans of the new stadium were presented at a press conference by the president of Ferencváros, Gábor Kubatov. The capacity of the new stadium will be 22,600 becoming the second biggest stadium in Hungary. Moreover, the stadium will be the safest and the most modern in Hungary. The plans of the reconstruction of the Albert Flórián Stadium was refused since it would cost more. Therefore, a the old stadium will be demolished and a brand new stadium will be built. The club expect the increase of the number of the spectators to 10,000 on average. The new stadium will be rotated by 90° and will be closer to Gyáli út. The pitch will be 10 centimeters below surface. According to the plans, there will be 29 skyboxes in the new stadium. In addition, there will be a restaurant, a Fradi shop, and a museum. The changing rooms will be expanded from 40 to 400 square meters.[2]
On 20 March 2013, it was announced that the bid for the selection of the construction company was closed and the winner of the tender is Market építő Zrt. The cost of the construction is 13.5 billion Hungarian Forints. The construction of the new stadium is expected to be completed by the autumn of 2014.[3]
On 27 March 2013, the construction of the new stadium started.[4]
On 28 March 2013, the film version of the plans of the new stadium was released.[5]
On 24 May 2013, Balázs Fürjes, MP of the Hungarian Parliament and person responsible for the investment, announced that the stadium will be finished on time. The construction of the new stadium is expected to be completed by the fall of 2014. In 2013 there will be 5,4 billion HUF available for the project and 8,1 billion HUF in 2014. Mihály Varga, minister of national economy of Hungary, said that the sale of the estate, which will be gained by rotating the stadium by 90°, will cover the expenses of the stadium. If the construction is not completed on time, the constructor company (Market Épitő Zrt.) will have to pay 65 million HUF daily.[6]
Melinda Várkonyi said that a 82-milimetre grenade was found at the building site of the new stadium. Allegedly the shell originates from a Soviet grenade launcher from the Second World War.[7]
On 31 July 2013, the new video of the Fradi media was released about the construction of the new stadium.[8]
On 3 October 2013, Balázs Fürjes, MP of the Hungarian Parliament, said that the construction of the stadium is of record speed. It is quite sure that the club can start the 2014-15 Hungarian League season in the new stadium. The Ferencváros club centre was opened where the fans of the club can take a look at the plans of the new stadium or a 3D film can be watched about the future stadium. Balázs Fürjes also pointed out that the new stadium will be a multi-purpose stadium where concerts, conferences, cultural events can be held apart from association football matches. He also mentioned that the elements of the old Albert stadium will be used for the construction of the new stadium. Therefore, it is a green investment for two reasons: for the colours of the club, and for the eco-friendly construction. The steel structure, which weighs 2800 tons, was made in Kecskemét while the concrete structure, which is 25,000 cubic metre, was made in Dunaújváros. The construction of the new stadium gives jobs for almost 2000 blue-collar workers.[9]
On 17 January 2014, new photos about the new stadium were released on the Facebook site of the Albert Stadium.[10]
On 18 April 2014, it was announced that a 3-meter tall statue of Ferencváros legend Ballon d'Or winner Flórián Albert will be erected in front of the main entrance. Sándor Kligl, sculptor and artist, was asked to make the bronze statue. The artist also said that he saw playing the Ferencváros legend live and it was worth going to the stadium just because of him. He was commissioned with many different tasks but this has been the most special one in his life. Junior Flórián Albert said that it was a moving moment to look at his father statue.[11]
On 23 April 2014, the floodlight system was first switched on.[12]
On 30 May 2014, it was announced that the Premier League club Chelsea will play the openeing match of the new stadium.[13]
On 4 June 2014, it was revealed that Groupama expressed their intention to be the name sponsor of the new stadium.[14]
On 2 July 2014, it was announced that the name of the new stadium will be Groupama Arena. At the press conference, Yann Ménétrier the chief executive officer of Groupama and Tamás Szekeres, the managing director of Lagardére Unlimited Stadion Solution, were present.[15]
On 7 July 2014, it was announced that the first kick would be executed by Ferencváros legend, Ferenc Rudas.[16]
On 10 August 2014, Ferencváros played the opening match against Chelsea F.C.. The first goal at the new stadium was scored by Ferencváros legened, Zoltán Gera in the 17th minute. However, in the second half Ramires (51st minute) and Fàbregas scored (81st minute) which resulted the 2-1 defeat at the new stadium for the home side.[17][18][19]
On 10 August 2014, around 2500 spectators belonging to the B Közép organised an alternative match at the stadium of BKV Előre SC in protest against the high entrance fees earmarked by the leadership of Ferencváros, the entrance security checks, and that Chelsea would play the opening match against Ferencváros and not the Austrian archrival Rapid Wien. The two teams included the supporters of Ferencváros and Rapid Wien.[20]
Transport
Groupama Arena is located in the ninth district of Budapest, Hungary. The arena can be approached by Budapest Metro Line 3. The nearest Metro station is called Népliget.
| Service | Station/Stop | Line/Route | Walking distance from Groupama Arena |
|---|---|---|---|
Budapest Metro   |
Népliget | Blue | 100 m 2 mins |
| Budapest Tram | Népliget | 1 | 100 m 2 mins |
| Budapest Bus | Népliget | 103 901 914 914A 918 937 950 |
100 m 2 mins |
Milestone matches
 Ferencváros | – | TBD |
|---|---|---|
Photo gallery
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The construction of the new Ferencváros stadium -
The construction of the new Ferencváros stadium in the summer of 2013
References
- ^ "Groupama Arena". Groupama Arena Official Website. 4 July 2013.
- ^ "Grandiózus célok a Fradinál: bemutatták az új Albert-stadion terveit - fotók". Nemzeti Sport. 13 April 2012.
- ^ "FTC: közel 13.5 milliárd forintért építik fel a Fradi új stadionját". Nemzeti Sport. 19 March 2013.
- ^ "Építkezés után bontás: holnap leteszik az új Fradi-stadion alapkövét". Nemzeti Sport. 27 March 2013.
- ^ "Videó: elkészült az új Fradi-stadion látványterve". Nemzeti Sport. 28 March 2013.
- ^ "FTC: Időben elkészül az új Albert-stadion - Fürjes". Nemzeti Sport. 25 May 2013.
- ^ "FTC: gránátot találtak az Albert-stadion bontása közben". Nemzeti Sport. 31 May 2013.
- ^ "Videó: látványos - gőzerővel zajlik a Fradi-stadion építése". Nemzeti Sport. 31 July 2013.
- ^ "Rekordsebességgel épül az új FTC-stadion". Nemzeti Sport. 3 October 2013.
- ^ "FTC: épül-szépül a zöld-fehérek új stadionja - fotók". Nemzeti Sport. 17 January 2014.
- ^ "FTC: az új stadion előtt szobrot állítanak Albertről - fotó". Nemzeti Sport. 17 January 2014.
- ^ "FTC: világításpróba az új ferencvárosi stadionban - fotók". Nemzeti Sport. 24 April 2014.
- ^ "FTC: szinte biztos, hogy a Chelsea jön a stadionavatóra". Nemzeti Sport. 30 May 2014.
- ^ "Ferencváros: a Groupama lehet a stadion névadója". Nemzeti Sport. 4 June 2014.
- ^ "FTC: ma jelenthetik be hivatalosan a Groupama Arénát". Nemzeti Sport. 2 July 2014.
- ^ "FTC: egy legenda végzi el a kezdőrúgást a Chelsea ellen". Nemzeti Sport. 7 July 2014.
- ^ "Geráé az első gól, a Chelsea-é a győzelem az új Fradi-stadionban". Nemzeti Sport. 10 August 2014.
- ^ "Ferencváros 1-2 Chelsea". Chelsea. 10 August 2014.
- ^ "Didier Drogba: Chelsea striker injured in friendly victory". BBC Sport. 10 August 2014.
- ^ "FTC: szurkolói hangulatkeltés az alternatív gálameccsen". Nemzeti Sport. 10 August 2014.
External links
