Toumba Stadium
Greece National Football Team (selected matches) | |
Website | |
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PAOK FC official website |
Toumba Stadium (Greek: Στάδιο Τούμπας) is a multi–purpose stadium in Thessaloniki, Greece, mainly used for football. It is property of AC PAOK and hosts PAOK FC since its completion in 1959. The official name of the stadium is simply PAOK Stadium (Greek: Στάδιο ΠΑΟΚ), but through the years it has become synonymous with the borough it is built at, the borough of Toumba.[3][4][5]
History
The construction started in 1958 and completed in 1959. Patrons on the project were the
The then
The stadium is located in the district of
A record attendance of 45,252 has been recorded in a
Gate 1, where the teams enter the stadium on a matchday, saw a major update in the summer of 1985 when a cantilever roof was installed, which got entirely replaced in preperation for the 2004 Olympics 18 years later.
The stadium's official name is simply "
Toumba Stadium is infamous for its hostile atmosphere, a factor that led to the attribution of the Stadium as 'The Black Hell'. On high-profile encounters, when the players walk out of the tunnel, the song Hells Bells by AC/DC is heard from the stadium's speakers.[6]
2004 upgrade
The stadium has hosted several games of the
Recent upgrades
After the advent of the new major shareholder Ivan Savvidis in 2012, a gradual renovation began. Big changes began in 2012–13, but most of the changes were made in 2014–15 for the European obligations of PAOK in the UEFA Europa League, starting from the central part of the stadium. A presidential suite was created and a gradual renovation for the media theories for convenience and functionality in the building of the third floor. In early September 2015, the turf was changed.
New Tumba stadium Project
PAOK administration have already presented to the Greek public authorities an architecture study of a new Stadium at Toumba. The Greek Council of State (CoS), the country’s supreme court, in April 2022 approved a proposal to set up the complete redevelopment of Toumba Stadium, with the CoS deeming legal a draft Presidential Decree concerning the approval of a Special Urban Plan for the district of Toumba, where the venue is located. On 21 June 2022, PAOK has formalized the beginning of a collaboration with a team consisting of domestic engineering and consulting firm SALFO and global architectural design company Populous to deliver the project.[7][8] It is estimated that PAOK will be granted a building permit in 2023 and the new stadium will be completed by 2026 and will have a capacity of 41,900 spectators.[9] PAOK would probably move to Kaftanzoglio Stadium until the new Stadium is built.
The New Stadium plans present some significant changes to the original stadium, notably a giant roof covering the entire stadium which counters a common criticism of the current ground regarding exposure to weather and elements outside of Gates 1 and 2. The existing stands would be demolished and reconstructed, moving closer to the pitch and eliminating the distance from the former running track. However, as of early 2024, the project has been in a continuous stalemate.
Major events
2003 Greek Football Cup Final
Date | Time (EEST) | Team #1 | Result | Team #2 | Round | Spectators |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
17 May 2003 | 21:15 | PAOK | 1–0 | Aris Thessaloniki | Final |
18,703 |
Gallery
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Inside view
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Inside view
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External view
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Big shirt in the stadium
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Team training
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PAOK vs AEK 1–1 (1989)
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View from Gate 4
See also
References
- ^ "Facilities".
- ^ PAOK 1926: ΓΗΠΕΔΟ ΤΟΥΜΠΑΣ Η ΙΣΤΟΡΙΑ TOY ΘΡΥΛΙΚΟΤΕΡΟΥ ΓΗΠΕΔΟΥ ΠΑΓΚΟΣΜΙΩΣ
- ^ a b "Home Ground". paokfc.gr.
- ^ "Toumba Stadium". stadia.gr. Retrieved 31 October 2019.
- ^ "Τούμπα: Εξήντα χρόνια ζωής..." [60 years of Toumba Stadium]. paokmania.gr (in Greek). 6 September 2019. Retrieved 31 October 2019.
- ^ ""Welcome to the hell"". inpaok.com (in Greek). 5 October 2013. Retrieved 13 October 2019.
- ^ "A historic day". paokfc.gr. 21 June 2022. Retrieved 5 July 2022.
- ^ "Populous Appointed as Lead Architect for New PAOK FC Stadium". populous.com. 22 June 2022. Retrieved 5 July 2022.
- ^ "Θεσσαλονίκη: «Νέα Τούμπα» με υπόγεια Κλεάνθους και πάρκινγκ". Typosthes.gr (in Greek). Retrieved 21 February 2023.
External links
- Toumba Stadium at PAOK FC official website (archived 27 March 2012)
- Toumba Stadium at stadia.gr
- Toumba Stadium (archived 25 October 2011)