Bulgaria’s CSKA 1948 given free lease of Trebich stadium in return for €1.3m modernisation

April 18 – Bulgaria’s CSKA 1948 will invest BGN 2.6 million (€1.3 million) to modernise one of the football bases in Sofia.

The club have been granted a free 10-year lease on the Trebich stadium, located on the outskirts of the Bulgarian capital, following a unanimous decision of the Sports Commission of the Metropolitan Municipal Council.

The project includes a complete modernisation of the sports complex with an area of 47 acres in a public-private partnership between CSKA 1948 and the Metropolitan Municipality.

The construction of three 110m by 72m pitches is planned. Two of the pitches will have a natural surface, and the third will be with artificial surface. Mobile stands, two new changing rooms and lighting will be built.

People living in the Trebich district will have free access to the sports facility 24 hours a week, while the investor undertakes to support the local amateur club with sports equipment, monthly consultations on the children’s and youth academy, as well as hosting future sports holidays, competitions and tournaments in the Trebich district.

“The investor will build the sports fields with the highest class natural grass covering from specially selected varieties of grass and supplied by FIFA-certified manufacturers. It is planned to build an automated irrigation system, with minimal consumption of water and electricity, as well as a drainage installation,” said the Metropolitan Municipality.

It is not clear whether CSKA 1948 intends to use the stadium for their home matches or as a training base. During the 10-year period of its lease, the club cannot sublet or use the facility for other activities.

Currently, the club, which was founded in 2016, plays its hime matches at Vitosha Bistrica and trains at the former base of FC Tsarsko Selo, who folded last year after relegation from the Bulgarian top tier. That training base is part of a hotel complex – owned by the former owner of Tsarsko Selo – and contains several football pitches and other training facilities.

Contact the writer of this story, Aleksander Krassimirov, at moc.l1711693748labto1711693748ofdlr1711693748owedi1711693748sni@o1711693748fni1711693748