January 26 – The Bulgarian Council of Ministers has allocated €1,872,862.16 for the renovation of the Vasil Levski National Stadium, the country’s largest football venue.
The investment aims to modernise the facility’s infrastructure, focusing on both functionality and safety. According to the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the upgrades will provide significantly better conditions for athletes, coaches, and the wider sporting community.
Located in the heart of Sofia, the stadium has a capacity of 38,230 seats. Since its inauguration in 1953, it has undergone major renovations only twice – in 1966 and 2002. Beyond hosting national events, the stadium frequently serves as a home ground for elite Bulgarian football clubs that lack their own licensed stadiums for official league matches.
Minister of Youth and Sports, Ivan Peshev, emphasised that the upgrades are crucial for hosting high-level national and international events.
“Investing in sports infrastructure is vital not just for the sustainable development of sport in Bulgaria, but also for promoting physical activity among young people and establishing Bulgaria as a host for international forums,” Peshev said. “I am pleased we secured these funds to give future generations of athletes the opportunity to achieve top-tier results.”
The renovation is expected to solidify the stadium’s status as a premier hub for both professional football, athletics and other mass-participation sports
Contact the writer of this story, Aleksander Krassimirov, at [email protected]