Maksimir Stadium Turns 105 Today

Maksimir stadium

Maksimir stadium in the Croatian capital Zagreb turns 105 today.

Works first begun on the stadium on 1 February 1912 and just over 3 months later, and exactly 105 years ago today on 5 May 1912 the stadium officially opened.

Named after the surrounding neighbourhood of Maksimir, the stadium is primarily today the home of Dinamo Zagreb. Since its opening 105 years ago the stadium has undergone many facelifts, and its current layout dates from a 1997 rebuilding.

(photo: gnkdinamo)

Maksimir stadium has also played host to a number of Croatian national football team matches, events, and rock concerts over the years. Maksimir was the central venue for the 1987 Summer Universiade hosted by the city of Zagreb.

In 1990, on 17 October, Croatia played the United States in what was Croatia’s first match in the modern era at Maksimir stadium. After 1992, for 16 years the Croatian football team had a proud unbeaten record at this stadium.

Croatia had a 16-year unbeaten run at Maksimir stadium (photo credit / hns dragosopta)

In 1998, plans were made for a massive renovation process, and the first phase started the same year when the old northern stand was demolished and a new one arisen within a year. This renovation increased Maksimir’s seating capacity to 38,079.

The record attendance at the stadium was set in 1973 when 64,138 turned up to watch NK Zagreb play NK Osijek.

In the summer of 2011, a little, but much needed “facelifting” was made on the stadium. All seats were replaced, a new drainage system, under-soil heating, and automatic watering were installed along with a new turf, the athletic track was covered with blue artificial grass and all brick surfaces were covered in blue cloth.

(photo: pepito.hr under cc)

The stadium has also been used as the venue for some big concerts, including, Dire Straits. David Bowie, U2, Madonna, Depeche Mode, and Robbie Williams.