The City of Ostrava, one of the Czech Republic’s largest cities, is making a significant move to enhance its sports infrastructure by launching an international competition for the design of the country’s most modern football stadium. This new stadium, set to be named the New Bazaly Stadium, will not only serve as a venue for international football matches, including games featuring the Czech national football team, but also become the new home for FC Baník Ostrava, the city’s beloved football club.
A Tribute to History, Designed for the Future
The New Bazaly Stadium will be built on the historic grounds of the original Bazaly stadium, where FC Baník Ostrava has played for over 56 years since 1959. As a key piece of local heritage, the project aims to honour the history of the club while providing a state-of-the-art facility that reflects the ambitions of the modern-day team and the city itself. The design must seamlessly combine this rich history with the vision for a dynamic, contemporary sports arena. The city envisions the stadium as a landmark for Ostrava and the entire Czech Republic, reflecting the spirit of both the football club and the community.
Integration with Urban Landscape
One of the key challenges for architects will be integrating the new stadium into Ostrava’s existing urban space. The stadium is located near the national cultural monument of the New Town Hall, making it essential that the design respects both the modern landscape and the historical context. The city is seeking an architectural solution that balances these considerations while meeting all the needs of a top-tier sporting venue.
The stadium should also be accessible to people of all abilities, with state-of-the-art facilities ensuring a positive experience for all spectators. The design must take into account the need for large capacity, cutting-edge amenities, and excellent transport links for easy access to matchday crowds.
Multifunctional and Sustainable Design
While the stadium’s primary purpose will be for football, the city’s vision for the New Bazaly Stadium goes beyond that. The stadium will be a multifunctional space that serves the local community in a variety of ways. Plans include a football club museum, fan shops, restaurants, and spaces for hosting community events and exhibitions. The inclusion of a museum and other amenities will make the stadium a year-round attraction for tourists and locals alike.
Additionally, sustainability is a core consideration. The city aims for the stadium to be built with environmentally friendly practices and materials, ensuring that it meets modern standards for energy efficiency and environmental protection. The final design must be economically feasible while also ensuring the long-term durability and sustainability of the stadium.
Stadium Specifications and Budget
The new stadium will have a capacity of 19,500 to 20,000 spectators, with an estimated construction cost of €100 million. The architectural competition will be evaluated in two phases. The city is expecting proposals from highly experienced architectural firms with proven expertise in designing large-scale, iconic sports venues. Proposals will be assessed based on creativity, feasibility, cost-effectiveness, and how well the design integrates with the surrounding area.
Architect’s Legacy and Key Dates
The architect behind the winning design will leave a lasting legacy in the city of Ostrava, contributing to the region’s cultural and sporting development for decades to come. The deadline for submitting design proposals is 1:00 PM on January 24, 2025. This is a unique opportunity for architectural firms to contribute to the creation of a landmark football stadium that will serve as a hub for the local community and a source of pride for the city.
By launching this architectural competition, Ostrava demonstrates its commitment to enhancing its global sporting reputation and ensuring that the New Bazaly Stadium will be a key asset to the city’s cultural, social, and economic future.
