Groupama Arena

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Groupama Arena
File:Stade Budapest 08667.jpg
Full name Groupama Arena
Location Budapest, Hungary
Owner Hungarian State
Operator Lagardère Group
Executive suites 34 skybox
Capacity 22,000
(UEFA & FIFA matches)
23,700
(Domestic matches)
Record attendance 22,000 (Hungary vs Greece, 29 March 2015)
Field size 105 m × 68 m (344 ft × 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)
Architect Ágnes Streit
Szabolcs Kormos
Main contractors Market Építő Zrt.
Tenants
Hungary national football team
Ferencváros
Website
www.groupamaarena.com

Groupama Arena is a multi-purpose stadium in Budapest, Hungary and the home of Ferencvárosi TC.[1][2] 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

The Springer statue, the first president of Ferencváros

Since 1911, Ferencváros had played their home games at Stadion Albert Flórián, originally named Üllői úti Stadion. The stadium had had a major upgrade from 1971–74, and in the 21st Century the club desired a stadium with an expanded capacity. Reconstruction of Stadion Albert Flórián was rejected for financial reasons, and plans to demolish the stadium and replace it with an entirely new structure were presented at a press conference in April 2012 by Gábor Kubatov, the president of Ferencváros. The proposed capacity of 22,600 would make it the second biggest stadium in Hungary.

The new stadium would be reorientated 90° and closer to Gyáli út, with a pitch 10 cm below ground level. Corporate hospitality, a restaurant, shop and museum were all planned, along with expanded changing facilities.[3]

Market építő Zrt won the tender to construct the stadium, with a projected cost of 13.5 billion Ft. Construction started on 27 March 2013,[4] with an estimated completion time of autumn 2014.[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 an 82-millimetre 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 3 October 2013, Balázs Fürjes, MP of the Hungarian Parliament, said that the construction of the stadium is of record speed. It was quite sure that the club could 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 metres, was made in Dunaújváros. The construction of the new stadium gives jobs for almost 2000 blue-collar workers.[8]

The main entrance of the Groupama Arena with the statue of Flórián Albert (on the left) and the statue of Ferenc Springer (on the right)

On 17 January 2014, new photos about the new stadium were released on the Facebook site of the Albert Stadium.[9]

On 18 April 2014, it was announced that a 3-metre-tall statue of Ferencváros 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.[10]

In April 2014, Lagardère Unlimited Stadium Solutions, the dedicated agency for stadia and arena operations owned by Lagardère Unlimited, signed a long-term naming right contract between the Groupama Arena and French insurer Groupama. The deal includes the operation, management and marketing of the new arena. Lagardère Unlimited Stadium Solutions is currently involved in consulting, operations and marketing services in several stadiums worldwide, including Commerzbank-Arena in Frankfurt, Imtech Arena in Hamburg and two stadiums in Brazil. On 2 July 2014, it was announced that the name of the new stadium will be Groupama Arena.

File:Entré stade 08664.JPG
The entrance of the Arena in the Üllői út and the vascular technology
The statue of Ballon d'Or-winner Flórián Albert in front of the main entrance

On 7 July 2014, it was announced that the first kick would be executed by Ferencváros legend, Ferenc Rudas.[11]

It was revealed that one of the halls will be named after former Ferencváros and Barcelona legend László Kubala who played for Ferencváros between 1945–46 and scored 33 goals in 50 matches.[12][13]

On 4 August 2014, the first unofficial match was played at the stadium in front of 6,500 spectators. Ferencváros old-boys team including Szeiler, Dzurják, Lipcsei, Telek, and Lisztes hosted their arch-rival Újpest old-boys including Kovács, Szlezák, Fehér, Egressy, and Mészöly. The final result was 6-5 to Újpest. The tickets for free those supporters who purchased season tickets before the match and for the workers and their relatives who contributed to the construction of the new stadium.[14]

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.[15][16][17]

On 10 August 2014, around 2,500 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.[18]

On 24 August 2014, the first Hungarian League match was played at the stadium. Ferencváros beat Nyíregyháza 3-1. The first goal was scored by Busai in the 13th minute.[19]

On 7 September 2014, Hungary played their first match at the stadium against Northern Ireland. The UEFA Euro 2016 qualifier ended with a 2-1 away victory.[20]

On 14 November 2014, Hungary won their first match at the new stadium by beating Finland 1-0 thanks to Gera's 84th-minute goal in the UEFA Euro 2016 qualifier.[21]

On 9 July 2015, Ferencváros played their first international match at the Groupama Arena against the Dutch Go Ahead Eagles in the second leg of the first qualifying round of the 2015-16 UEFA Europa League. The match was won by Ferencváros by 4-1.[22]

On 20 May 2016 the first non-UEFA member was hosted in the stadium when Hungary played against Ivory Coast in a goalless friendly tier.[23]

Sport arena

The Groupama Arena was categorised as a Category 4 facility by the UEFA which is suitable for Nemzeti Bajnokság I, Magyar Kupa, UEFA European Championship qualifying, FIFA World Cup qualification, UEFA Champions League group stage and quarter-final. In addition, the stadium can host FIFA U-17 World Cup and U21 FIFA U20 World Cup.[24]

The capacity of the arena is 23,800 for Nemzeti Bajnokság I and Magyar Kupa matches and 22,000 for UEFA and FIFA matches. The difference is due to the fact that there are standing stands in the B-közép and the visitors sector.[25] The terroitory of the stadium is 19,042 square metres, including the pitch it is 28,746.5 square metres. The main building has four floors, and under it there is a three-level garage which can host 354 vehicles. There is a car park in front of the main building which can host 106 cars. Next to the satdium there is also a parking lot which can host 405 cars.[26]

The construction took 14 months. During the construction 60 000 cubic metre was moved. The amount of the concrete used in the construction was 24 492 cubic metre, while the steel structure was 2708 tons. The steel structure was manufactured in Kecskemét, while the pre-fabricated concrete was made in Dunaújváros.[27]

Costs

The Groupama Arena cost 53.3 million USD. The price per seat was 1,996 USD. In 2014, the arena was the 6th cost-effective building. Nagyerdei Stadion of Debrecen overtook the Groupama Arena in cost-effectiveness.[28]

Facilities

Fradi Museum

On 7 August 2014, The Fradi Museum was opened. The visitors to the museum can get acquinted with the history of Ferencváros. Cups, trophies and flags can be seen at the museum such as Flórián Albert's 1967 Ballon d'Or, the trophy of the 1937 Mitropa Cup, Tibor Nyilasi's Silver shoe, and the trophy of the 1965 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup Final along with many other trophies and cups in connection with the club can be seen.[29]

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 BKV metro.svg BKV m 3 jms.svg 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

Cashless catering

The Cashless catering system is used in the premises of the entire stadium.[30]

Vascular technology

The arena has been the first stadium in Hungary where vein matching or vascular technology has been installed.

Milestone matches

Magyar Kupa finals

National team matches

Statistics

As of 20 May 2016.

Match W D L GD
Qualifier 3 2 1 6-4
Friendly 0 2 1 2-3

Attendances

As of 24 May 2016.

Season Average
2014–15 6,501 [32]
2015–16 7,737 [33]

Photo gallery

  • The construction of the Groupama Arena

  • The construction of the Groupama Arena in the summer of 2013

  • Stade Budapest 08667.jpg

    The exterior of the Groupama Arena at the corner of Üllői út and Könyves Kálmán körút

  • The statue of Flórián Albert

  • The main entrance

  • The exterior of the Groupama Arena

  • Entré stade 08664.JPG

    The entrance of the Arena in the Üllői út

  • The eagle statue

  • By night

References

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External links

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