12.05.2026
16:19

source:
StadiumDB.com ;
author:
Kuba Kowalski

Bulgaria: New era for Levski. A €120M stadium to be built.
PFC Levski Sofia is preparing for one of the biggest projects in Bulgarian football history. Following major ownership changes, the club unveiled plans for a new €120 million stadium in Sofia, which is expected to become a modern multifunctional arena meeting UEFA Category IV standards and capable of hosting major international events and concerts.

Ownership changes and new vision

Atanas Bostandzhiev, founder of Gemcorp Capital with extensive executive experience in renowned financial institutions, has acquired a majority stake in the club. This change brought immediate results in the form of an ambitious development vision. Nasko Sirakov retained his position as president but is no longer a shareholder, allowing for a clear division of competencies between the sports and investment sides.

Commenting on the rapid pace of negotiations that began late last year, the new investor highlighted the professionalism of the previous management. Bostandzhiev declared long-term investments that will cover not only the first team but also the youth academy and sports facilities. In his view, trying to build a strong team without proper infrastructure is like racing in Formula 1 with an outdated engine.

With Levski entering a new era shaped by major investment and ambitious long-term planning, interest around the club continues to grow both on and off the pitch. As discussions about the future stadium continue, some supporters also turn to other forms of entertainment online, including platforms such as Situs 888 official site, focused on sports betting and casino gaming.

Stadion Georgi Asparuhov © kraxx

Multifunctional arena for Europe

The multifunctional arena, designed by architect Tsvetan Petrov’s team, will ultimately meet the strict UEFA Category IV requirements. According to the Bulgarian Football Union guidelines, the capacity will be 24,718 seats, while for international matches, it will be adjusted to 23,032 seats. The new facility will be built on the site of the 1963 VIVACOM Arena – Georgi Asparuhov.

Besides its purely sports-related functions, the venue is intended to become a major entertainment center on the Balkan map. During large cultural events and concerts, the stadium will be able to accommodate up to 40,000 spectators. The multifunctional nature of the arena will generate additional revenue for the club, regardless of the football match calendar.

Innovative architecture and sustainability

The architectural showcase of the stadium will be its distinctive facade made of perforated panels with built-in lighting, designed to improve acoustics and minimize noise pollution in the area. The structure of Sector A will be built using monolithic technology, while stands B, C, and D will be constructed using modern prefabricated elements. This solution is expected to significantly accelerate the construction process.

The whole structure will be topped with a solid roof based on steel trusses, ensuring optimal natural sunlight access to the pitch while protecting spectators from adverse weather conditions. The investment strongly relies on sustainable development solutions, introducing energy-efficient systems and ambitious plans to revitalize the surrounding park spaces. The use of high-quality building materials is expected to ensure longevity and low maintenance costs.

Stadion Georgi Asparuhov © kraxx

Schedule and project implementation

The smooth launch of the entire enterprise was made possible by efficient cooperation with city authorities and the successful transfer of land ownership from the State Treasury to the Sofia municipality. Currently, procedures related to finalizing the design phase and obtaining necessary building permits are intensively underway. Once the formalities are completed, an international tender will be announced to select the best contractors capable of meeting such a demanding task.

According to the adopted plan, the official start of construction works is scheduled for the spring of 2027. The entire investment process is expected to take about three years. The completion of all works and the commissioning of the fully functional, ultra-modern stadium are planned for 2029.