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The Agia Sophia Stadium (pronounced [aˈʝa soˈfça]), also known by its commercial name OPAP Arena,[6] is the home stadium of AEK Athens F.C.. With an all-seater capacity of 32,500,[3] it is the largest football-only stadium and the second largest football stadium overall in Greece. It is located in Nea Filadelfeia, a northwestern suburb of Athens, Greece. Built in 2022 on the site of Nikos Goumas Stadium, the former ground of the club, the stadium is the most contemporary stadium in Greece.

Agia Sophia Stadium
OPAP Arena
Stadium of AEK Athens FC
UEFA
Full nameCenter of Sports, Memory and Culture Agia Sophia[1][2]
Former namesNikos Goumas Stadium
LocationNea Filadelfeia, Greece
Coordinates38°2′13″N 23°44′29″E
Public transit Perissos metro station
Nea Filadelfeia metro station (2035)
Parking1.200
400-500 (underground)
OwnerAEK
OperatorDikefalos 1924 S.A.
Executive suites40
Capacity32,500[3]
Record attendance31,100 (AEK vs Ionikos, Super League, 3 October 2022)[4]
Field size105 m × 68 m (344 ft × 223 ft)
Surfacenatural grass
Scoreboard2
Construction
Broke ground28 July 2017
Built7 September 2022
Opened30 September 2022
Construction cost€ 98,700,000
ArchitectAthanassios Kyratsous
Project managerDimitris Andriopoulos
General contractorErmonassa S.A[5]
Tenants
AEK Athens (2022–present)
Website
Official website
Stadium website

Name


The stadium holds a founding and a commercial name. The founding name of the stadium is Agia Sophia, chosen after the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, formerly a Greek Orthodox church. The name highlights the significant cultural roots of AEK and its founders from Constantinople. The commercial name of the stadium, OPAP Arena, was picked after OPAP – Greek Organisation of Football Prognostics S.A. secured the name right for five years, starting from 2022.[1]


History


See also: Nikos Goumas Stadium and AEK Arena

In 1926, land in Nea Filadelfeia that was originally set aside for refugee housing was donated as a training ground for the Greek refugees. A stadium was built at the site in 1930, named "Nikos Goumas", and became the home ground of AEK Athens FC.[7]

In 2003, Giannis Granitsas, President of AEK at the time, decided to demolish the stadium and build a new stadium at Nea Filadelfeia, as he claimed that the stadium was seriously damaged from the 1999 Athens earthquake.[7][8] His plan was to build a new stadium at the same site, which would include also a basketball indoor hall and a mall. The goal was for the stadium to be ready until the 2004 Summer Olympics.[9]

However, shortly after the construction of the new stadium were halted by the Council of State, which decided that the construction plans of the stadium were contrary to the Constitution of Greece.[9]

In 2005, Dimitris Melissanidis was a candidate for the presidency of AEK, and presented a plan for the construction of a stadium at the area of Nikos Goumas, bearing the name Hagia Sophia. However, he lost the elections.[10]

In 2007, AEK Athens FC's president Demis Nikolaidis was developing a project to build a 50,000 capacity stadium at Ano Liosia. The plan was cancelled due to lack of fan support and lack of funds.[9]

After the bankruptcy and relegation of AEK Athens FC in 2013, Dimitris Melissanidis took up the reorganization of the club and recovered the plan of Hagia Sophia in a press conference held at 10 July 2013.[11]

The first presentation of the stadium took place on 2 October 2013 in the Miltos Kountouras hall at the Nea Filadelfia High School.[12][13] The project manager of the stadium Dimitris Andriopoulos announced the first features and facilities. The stadium will fulfill the criteria to be a four category in the UEFA stadium categories, it will have capacity of 32,500 and will have 40 suites. There will be a museum about the Greek refugees who left from Asia Minor in 1922. It will offer 1,500–2,000 jobs during its construction and 250 - 400 permanent jobs when it will be constructed. The stadium's construction was expected to begin in 2014 and finish by 2015. The first images of the stadium were also exposed. The stadium is designed after the Walls of Constantinople where the club is originated from, and it will resemble a castle from the outside.[14]

The grand presentation of the stadium took place on 6 November 2013 at the Onassis Cultural Center in Athens, which will contribute financially to the construction of the stadium. A symbolic fund was also donated by the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. Technical information about the stadium were presented and its facilities were illustrated in a 20-minute video.[15][16]

On 2 January 2015, the municipality of Filadelfeia-Chalkidona filed a complaint at the Council of State against the decision of the management of forests of administration of Athens,[17] that allocates 0.6 hectares from the Grove of Nea Filadelfeia.[18] Also, 17 citizens of the municipality of Filadelfeia-Chalkidona filed a complaint on 1 December 2014 about the same matter.[19]

The case was heard at the Council of State on 6 March 2015.[20] The decision was issued on 5 June 2015, and it rejected the claims of the municipality and the citizens as unsubstantive and obscure.[21]

The plan for the building of the stadium was released in public consultation by the Ministry of Productive Reconstruction, Environment and Energy on 22 July. The process would be completed in 45 days.[22] The municipality of Filadelfeia-Chalkidona filed an application for an extension of the public consultation for an extra 45 days,[23] which was accepted.[24] The consultation was finally concluded on 24 November 2015.[25]

On 28 January 2016, the meeting of the Administrative Regiοn of Attica approved the Study of Environmental Impact of the project.[26]

The minister of Environment and Energy, Panos Skourletis, signed the Study of Environmental impact of the stadium on 31 March 2016.[27]

The planning permission was acquired from the Ministry of Environment on 25 July 2017.[28][29]


Funding


The net construction cost is estimated around € 81,700,000. The funding will be completed in three stages. The first phase of construction will cost € 25,000,000; the second phase € 20,000,000 and the third € 14,700,000.[30] The Administrative region of Attica will fund the stadium with € 20,000,000.[31] The sum left will be funded by Dikefalos 1924, a company that was founded for the construction of the stadium.[32][33]


Construction


The construction of the stadium began with earthworks on 28 July 2017.[34] The first phase of construction consisted of excavations and retaining works, which according to the initial planning would last for 5 months.[35] Eventually, the first phase was completed on 5 December 2017.[36]

On 6 February 2018, it was announced that the company «ERMONASSA SA» would undertake the completion of the second phase regarding the construction of the stadium. These include, according to the official announcement, the remaining earthworks, the reinforced concrete main structure of the stadium, the construction of the concrete reinforced and prestressed pillars, and finally the construction and installation of the stands. The completion of this phase is planned to last 14 months.[37] The works began on 12 February 2018.[38] The third and final phase started on 30 March 2020 and was completed in early September 2022.


Opening


The stadium's opening ceremony took place on 30 September 2022.[39][40][41] More than 30.000 people attended the ceremony.

AEK Athens won Ionikos Nikaias 4–1 in their new stadium opening game on 3 October 2022, a game conducted for the sixth fixture of the 2022–23 Greek Super League.[42]


Facilities


The double-headed eagle sculpture at the main entrance, sculptured by Gábor Miklós Szőke
The double-headed eagle sculpture at the main entrance, sculptured by Gábor Miklós Szőke

Agia Sophia stadium offers the following facilities, amenities and attractions.[43]


Record


Team Competition Games Wins Draws Losses
AEK Athens Super League 1 4 4 0 0
Greek Cup 1 1 0 0
UEFA 0 0 0 0
Total 5 5 0 0

Updated to match played November 9, 2022
Source: Competitions


Opening game


Date Attendance Score Competition Opponent
3/10/2022 31,100+ 4 – 1 Super League 1 Ionikos

See also



References


  1. "ΑΕΚ: "ΟΠΑΠ Arena Αγιά Σοφιά" το όνομα του νέου γηπέδου | News". www.sigmalive.com.
  2. sport24.gr/football/omades/Aek/aek-opap-arena-agia-sofia-tha-onomastei-to-neo-ghpedo-ths-enwshs.5732463.amp.html
  3. "OPAP Arena". aekfc.gr. 11 October 2022.
  4. "Super League schedule". slgr.gr (in Greek). 4 October 2022.
  5. IEFIMERIDA.GR, NEWSROOM (6 February 2018). "ΑΕΚ: Η εταιρεία "ΕΡΜΩΝΑΣΣΑ ΑΕ" ανέλαβε την κατασκευή του νέου γηπέδου | ΣΠΟΡ". iefimerida.gr.
  6. "OPAP ARENA". AEK F.C. Official Web Site. Retrieved 26 September 2022.
  7. "Our Old Home "Nikos Goumas"". aekfc.gr. Retrieved 28 August 2015.
  8. Καραΐνδρος, Σταύρος (5 May 2009). "Εξι χρόνια από την κατεδάφιση του "Νίκος Γκούμας" (vids)" [Six years after the demolition of "Nikos Goumas" (vids)] (in Greek). Retrieved 28 August 2015.
  9. Χορτάτος, Τόλης (5 May 2013). "Φάκελος: Γήπεδο ΑΕΚ" [File A.E.K Stadium] (in Greek). Archived from the original on 21 January 2016. Retrieved 28 August 2015.
  10. "ΑΕΚ: Ερχεται πιο κοντά η κατασκευή του γηπέδου" [AEK: The time of the construction of the stadium is closing]. imerisia.gr. Retrieved 9 March 2016.
  11. "Ελληνες παίκτες και γήπεδο θέλει για την ΑΕΚ ο Μελισσανίδης" [Melissanidis wants Greek players and stadium for A.E.K] (in Greek). 10 July 2013. Retrieved 28 August 2015.
  12. Yellow Fever GR (2 October 2013), Ομιλία Μελισσανίδη - Παρουσίαση γηπέδου ΑΕΚ [Melissanidis' speech - Presentation of stadium of AEK], retrieved 22 December 2015
  13. "Ιδού ο ναός της ΑΕΚ (photos+videos)" [Behold the temple of A.E.K (photos and videos)] (in Greek). 2 October 2013. Retrieved 28 August 2013.
  14. "Ο Τίγρης παρουσίασε το ΓΗΠΕΔΟ - Βυζαντινό κάστρο της ΑΕΚ!" [The Tiger has presented the Stadium - Byzantine castle of A.E.K] (in Greek). 29 August 2013. Retrieved 28 August 2015.
  15. "Η επίσημη παρουσίαση του νέου γηπέδου της ΑΕΚ" [The formal presentation of the stadium of A.E.K] (in Greek). 6 November 2013. Retrieved 28 August 2015.
  16. Παλλαντζάς, Παναγιώτης (6 November 2013). "Στηρίζει και οικονομικά το Ίδρυμα Ωνάση" [Onassis foundation helps financially]. gazzeta.gr. Retrieved 22 December 2015.
  17. "Προσφυγή στο ΣτΕ από τον Δήμο για το γήπεδο της ΑΕΚ" [The Municipality files a complaint at StE for the stadium of A.E.K] (in Greek). 3 January 2015. Retrieved 28 August 2015.
  18. ""Θέλουμε το γήπεδο της ΑΕΚ, αλλά όχι τον αποχαρακτηρισμό στρεμμάτων του άλσους" λέει ο δήμαρχος" ["We want the stadium of A.E.K but without any acres given from the Grove" says the Mayor] (in Greek). 2 January 2015. Retrieved 28 August 2015.
  19. Αρναούτογλου, Βαγγέλης (1 December 2014). "Η προσφυγή των "17" κατά της "Αγιάς Σοφιάς"" [The complaint of the "17" against "Hagia Sophia"]. sport24.gr. Retrieved 22 December 2015.
  20. "ΑΕΚ: Ήμερα κρίσης για την "Αγια-Σοφιά"" [Critical day for "Agia Sophia"]. protothema.gr (in Greek). 6 March 2015. Retrieved 28 August 2015.
  21. ""Πράσινο φως" από το ΣτΕ για το γήπεδο της ΑΕΚ" ["Green light" for A.E.K stadium from StE] (in Greek). 5 June 2015. Retrieved 28 August 2015.
  22. Γεωργίου, Άκης (22 July 2015). "Το γήπεδο της ΑΕΚ σε δημόσια διαβούλευση" [The stadium of A.E.K is at public consultation] (in Greek). Retrieved 28 August 2015.
  23. Τσίλας, Κώστας (9 September 2015). "Αίτημα για παράταση της δημόσιας διαβούλευσης για το γήπεδο της ΑΕΚ" [Application for extension of public consultation for A.E.K stadium] (in Greek). Retrieved 22 December 2015.
  24. "Παρατείνεται η δημόσια διαβούλευση για την "Αγιά Σοφιά"!" [The public consultation for Hagia Sophia is extended!]. skai.gr (in Greek). 18 September 2015. Retrieved 22 December 2015.
  25. Τριβιζάς, Μάριος (23 November 2015). "Ολοκληρώνεται η διαβούλευση, στο ΥΠΑΠΕΝ η ΑΕΚ" [Public consultation is completed, AEK heads to YPAEN]. sdna.gr (in Greek). Retrieved 22 December 2015.
  26. Αμπελάκης, Σπυρίδων (29 January 2016). "Ανοίγει ο δρόμος για την "Αγιά Σοφιά", εγκρίθηκε η μελέτη από την Περιφέρεια (vid)" [The road opens for "Hagia Sophia", the study was approved from the Administrative Region (vid)]. ert.gr. Retrieved 23 March 2016.
  27. Τσώχος, Μιχάλης (31 March 2016). "Υπέγραψε για το γήπεδο ο Υπουργός Περιβάλλοντος και Ενέργειας, προχωράει για την άδεια η ΑΕΚ" [The minister of Environment and Energy signed for the stadium, AEK proceeds for the building permission]. cnn.gr (in Greek). Retrieved 31 March 2016.
  28. Lialios, Giorgos (25 July 2015). "Εκδόθηκε η οικοδομική άδεια για το γήπεδο της ΑΕΚ" [The planning permission for AEK stadium has been granted]. kathimerini.gr (in Greek). Retrieved 27 July 2017.
  29. "ΕΓΚΡΙΣΗ ΔΟΜΗΣΗΣ" [Planning Permission]. diavgeia.gov.gr (in Greek). Ministry of Environment and Energy.
  30. "Όλο το σχέδιο χρηματοδότησης του γηπέδου της ΑΕΚ" [The whole plan of funding for A.E.K stadium] (in Greek). 7 March 2013. Retrieved 28 August 2015.
  31. "Περιφέρεια Αττικής: "20 εκ. ευρώ για το νέο γήπεδο της ΑΕΚ"" [Administrative Region of Attica: "20 million for A.E.K stadium"] (in Greek). 20 June 2013. Retrieved 28 August 2015.
  32. "Συστάθηκε η "Δικέφαλος 1924 Α.Ε."" ["Dikefalos 1924 A.E" is founded] (in Greek). 30 August 2013. Retrieved 28 August 2015.
  33. "Πάνω απο 40 εκατ. ευρώ έχει μαζέψει η "Δικέφαλος ΑΕ"" ["Dikefalos A.E" has gathered over 40 million euros] (in Greek). 28 October 2013. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 28 August 2015.
  34. Τριβιζάς, Μάριος (28 July 2017). "Πήραν μπροστά οι μπουλντόζες στη Φιλαδέλφεια! (pics+vids)" [The bulldozers have started working in Filadelfia! (pics+vids)]. sdna.gr (in Greek). Retrieved 28 July 2017.
  35. "Σε πέντε μήνες τελειώνει η πρώτη φάση των έργων για την Αγιά – Σοφιά" [The first phase of construction for Agia - Sophia ends in 5 months]. sdna. gr (in Greek). 29 July 2017. Retrieved 29 July 2017.
  36. Τσίλης, Κώστας (5 December 2017). "Όλα έτοιμα για τα θεμέλια της "Αγιά Σοφιάς"" [Everything is ready for the foundations of Agia Sophia]. sport24.gr. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
  37. "Ανακοίνωση της Δικέφαλος 1924 ΑΕ" [Announcement of DIKEFALOS AE]. aekfc.gr (in Greek). 6 February 2018. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
  38. "Απέκτησε ξανά... ζωή το εργοτάξιο στη Νέα Φιλαδέλφεια (vid)" [The construction site in Nea Filadelfeia has.... regained life.]. sdna.gr (in Greek). 12 February 2018. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
  39. "ΑΕΚ: Στις 30 Σεπτεμβρίου τα εγκαίνια του νέου γηπέδου". kathimerini.gr (in Greek). Online. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
  40. "Η ΑΕΚ επέστρεψε στο "σπίτι" της, σε βραδιά-όνειρο". sport-fm.gr (in Greek). Online. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
  41. "Ολόκληρο το βίντεο των εγκαινίων της "Αγια-Σοφιάς - OPAP Arena": Δείτε ξανά τη μεγάλη γιορτή!". sport-fm.gr (in Greek). Online. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
  42. Μουσουράκης, Μανώλης. "Επιστροφή στο σπίτι με τεσσάρα για την εκκωφαντική ΑΕΚ!". sport-fm.gr (in Greek). Online. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
  43. "OPAP ARENA". aekfc.gr. Online. Retrieved 17 April 2022.




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