Stadion Poljud Explained

Stadium Name:Stadion Poljud
Fullname:Gradski stadion u Poljudu
Nickname:"The Poljud beauty"
(hr|Poljudska ljepotica)
Location:Spinut, Split, Croatia
Built:1977–1979
Owner:City of Split
Operator:Hajduk Split
Seating Capacity:33,987
Nrhp:
Embed:yes
Designation1:Croatia Cultural
Designation1 Number:Z-6644[1]
Designation1 Type:Protected cultural good
Dimensions:105 m × 68 m (115 yd × 74 yd)
Surface:Grass
Architect:Boris Magaš
Structural Engineer:Boženko Jelić

Gradski stadion u Poljudu (en|City Stadium in Poljud), better known as Stadion Poljud (en|Poljud Stadium) or simply Poljud, is a multi-use stadium in Split, Croatia, which has been the home ground of Hajduk Split football club since 1979. The stadium is located in the neighbourhood of Poljud, which belongs to city district of Spinut.[2] It was opened in September 1979, and has a seating capacity of 33,987.[3]

The venue was built to host the 1979 Mediterranean Games and was opened by then Yugoslav president Josip Broz Tito. It had an original capacity of 55,000, increased to 62,000 in the 1980s, before being equipped with seats in the 1990s thus reducing the capacity to 33.987[4]

Poljud Stadium was also the venue for the 1990 European Athletics Championships and 2010 IAAF Continental Cup. Ultra Music - world known Electronic festival Ultra Europe was held on Stadium Poljud from 2013 until 2019 when it moved to Park Mladeži. City of Split annually held the Electronic Festival which gathers more than 150.000 people each year.[5]

Design

Its trademark is a seashell-like design by Croatian architect Boris Magaš with a roof structure spanning at 206×47 meters. Its design offers views of nearby hills and forests from the stands, modelled after ancient Greek theaters. Suspended on the west roof "shell" are 19 cabins, 7 of them are used by TV reporters, with the others occupied by cameras, central referee station, photo finish, scoreboard, audio control, etc. All of these are interconnected via a catwalk that runs through a structure spanning the entire roof giving access to the cabins, as well as to the 630 Philips lights, placed along the brim and inner side of the roof.Stands are supported by a construction of reinforced concrete with entrances via 12 bridges placed 30–40 meters apart around the entire stadium as well as eight staircases. Underneath them is a trench holding office areas. The area around the stadium is composed of 60,000 square meters of designed landscape with greenery designated for pedestrians, with the stadium slightly beneath the grade level of surrounding traffic roads. Placed under the western stands are 11,000 square meters of sports facilities (three gyms, pool, sauna), official club offices and restaurants, while the eastern stands cover 9,100 square meters of business areas. The inner stadium ground is composed of 105x68 meters football pitch and 8 running tracks surrounding it.[6]

The stadium was refurbished before hosting the 2010 IAAF Continental Cup athletics competition. A new tartan track was constructed, including the introduction of new VIP boxes and seats.[7] In October 2014, following heavy damage from Ultra Europe, a new pitch and drainage system were constructed, replacing the original ones that lasted for 35 years.[8]

In November 2015 the stadium was officially recognized as culture heritage.[9]

Stadium Today

Reconstruction

In October 2024, it was announced that the Poljud Stadium would undergo reconstruction. The roof of the stadium will be adapted, along with its reinforced concrete structure and electrical installations. The Split stadium will also receive a new video and audio system, as well as updated fire protection measures. The Government of Croatia has approved funds for all the necessary project documentation. This means that work on the stadium should begin in the spring of 2025, at the end of the current competitive season. Most importantly, the funds have been secured, and the project will be implemented in several stages.

The first section of the stadium to be renovated includes the southwest stand, where the visiting fans will be seated, and part of the west stand extending toward the south. In the second phase, reconstruction is planned for the southeast stand and part of the east stand extending southward, followed by the sections to the north. The plan initially involved using alpinists; however, scaffolding will still need to be utilized. The chairs will remain in place, and the entire concrete structure will be renovated. While the work is ongoing, some parts of Poljud will be closed, but Hajduk will still be able to play at the stadium.[10]

International fixtures

DateCompetitionOpponentScoreAtt.Ref
Yugoslavia (1979–1991)
1979 Mediterranean Games50,000https://www.rsssf.org/tablesm/medgames79.html
1982 FIFA World Cup qualification45,000http://www.reprezentacija.rs/index.php/utakmice/1980-1989/322
UEFA Euro 1984 qualifying29,331http://www.reprezentacija.rs/index.php/utakmice/1980-1989/303
UEFA Euro 1988 qualifying12,270http://www.reprezentacija.rs/index.php/utakmice/1980-1989/278
Friendly12,000http://www.reprezentacija.rs/index.php/utakmice/1980-1989/268
Croatia (1991–present)
UEFA Euro 1996 qualifying35,000http://www.hrnogomet.com/reprezentacija/utakmica.php?id=42
1998 FIFA World Cup qualification35,000http://www.hrnogomet.com/reprezentacija/utakmica.php?id=58
20,000http://www.hrnogomet.com/reprezentacija/utakmica.php?id=59
Friendly7,000http://www.hrnogomet.com/reprezentacija/utakmica.php?id=82
Friendly10,000http://www.hrnogomet.com/reprezentacija/utakmica.php?id=95
2003 Marjan Trophy1,000http://www.hrnogomet.com/reprezentacija/utakmica.php?id=125
Friendly9,212http://www.hrnogomet.com/reprezentacija/utakmica.php?id=136
Friendly27,256http://www.hrnogomet.com/reprezentacija/utakmica.php?id=153
Friendly30,000http://www.hrnogomet.com/reprezentacija/utakmica.php?id=185
UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying28,000http://www.hrnogomet.com/reprezentacija/utakmica.php?id=220
Friendly10,000http://www.hrnogomet.com/reprezentacija/utakmica.php?id=234
UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying0http://www.hrnogomet.com/reprezentacija/utakmica.php?id=265
UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying32,110https://www.hrnogomet.com/reprezentacija/utakmica.php?id=319
2020–21 UEFA Nations League0https://www.hrnogomet.com/reprezentacija/utakmica.php?id=330
2022 FIFA World Cup qualification16,237https://www.hrnogomet.com/reprezentacija/utakmica.php?id=342
30,257https://www.hrnogomet.com/reprezentacija/utakmica.php?id=346
2022–23 UEFA Nations League30,000https://hns-cff.hr/news/24236/hrvatska-remizirala-s-francuskom-modric-proslavio-jubilej/
UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying33,474https://rezultati.hns.team/utakmice/73058728/hrvatska-wales-1-1/
2024–25 UEFA Nations League33,386https://rezultati.hns.team/utakmice/83571489/hrvatska-portugal-1-1/
2024–25 UEFA Nations League quarter-finals

Events

List of events, concerts or any other public gathering on Poljud Stadium.

DateHeadlining ArtistConcert or TourAttendance
28 September 1985Various PerformersOmladinski mirodrom50,000[11]
25 September 1993Mišo KovačNoć Svijeća50,000
15 September 2002Marko Perković ThompsonE, moj narode40,000
03 September 2006Various performersNe damo te pismo naša15,000
09 September 2007Various performersNe damo te pismo naša30,000
31 August 2008Vinko Coce i prijateljiNe damo te pismo naša30,000
21 September 2010Various performersNe damo te pismo naša30,000
30 June 2013Marko Perković ThompsonOra et Labora50,000
12 July 2013Ultra EuropeElectronic music festival103,000
13 July 2013
23 July 2013Roger WatersThe Wall Live50,000
11 July 2014Ultra EuropeElectronic music festival150,000
12 July 2014
13 July 2014
10 July 2015Ultra EuropeElectronic music festival160,000[12]
11 July 2015
12 July 2015
15 July 2016Ultra EuropeElectronic music festival150,000
16 July 2016
17 July 2016
14 July 2017Ultra EuropeElectronic music festival120,000[13]
15 July 2017
16 July 2017
06 July 2018Ultra EuropeElectronic music festival150,000[14]
07 July 2018
08 July 2018
09 June 2019Various performersTo je moja zemlja50,000

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Gradski stadion Poljud . 2023-06-02 . Registar kulturnih dobara.
  2. Web site: Stadion Poljud. The Stadium Guide. 15 August 2010.
  3. Web site: O Poljudu. HNK Hajduk Split. 26 April 2011. hr.
  4. https://budgetairlinefootball.wordpress.com/croatia/ Budget Airline Football – Football in Split
  5. Web site: Na Ultru dolazi oko 150 tisuća ljudi, a ove godine, kako tvrdi organizator Joe Bašić, došlo ih je još i više . 24sata . 13 June 2024.
  6. Web site: Stadion Poljud - kulturno dobro Republike Hrvatske . hajduk.hr. 19 May 2016 . 1 December 2015. hr.
  7. Web site: New seating boxes in Poljud stadium coming soon . split2010cc.com . 15 August 2010 . 20 May 2010 . unfit . https://web.archive.org/web/20140829185910/http://www.split2010cc.com/News/tabid/59/ID/38/language/en-GB/New-seating-boxes-in-Poljud-stadium-coming-soon.aspx . August 29, 2014 .
  8. Web site: Obnova poljudskog travnjaka najjeftinija u regiji . nogometplus.net. 19 May 2016 . 23 October 2014. hr.
  9. Web site: Stadion Poljud proglašen zaštićenim kulturnim dobrom . tportal.hr. 19 May 2016 . 1 December 2015. hr.
  10. Web site: Poljud stadium is going under reconstruction . VecernjiList . 16 October 2024.
  11. Web site: Omladinski . mirovina.hr . 18 January 2025.
  12. Web site: Joe Bašić: Ultra Europe je veliki poticaj za razvoj Splita kao destinacije . Poslovniturizam.com . 18 January 2025.
  13. Web site: The Chainsmokers, Eric Prydz & Marshmello to Headline Ultra Europe 2018 . Billboard.com . 18 January 2025.
  14. Web site: Rekordna posjecenost . Dalmacijadanas.hr . 18 January 2025.