Zagreb's plan to rebuild Maksimir Stadium — the city's main football ground since the mid-20th century — is back in the spotlight. Tommaso Fantini and Alberto Rossi, the Italian architects from studio VG13 whose design won an international competition in September, have shared new details of their proposal, and it's fair to say not everyone in Croatia is convinced.
The competition drew 88 entries from more than 20 countries, and the winning concept imagines a roughly 35,000-seat arena with an estimated price tag of about €200 million. Standout features include a hotel built into the stadium complex and a VIP area styled like a terrace overlooking the pitch. Rather than being all concrete, the structure pairs a reinforced concrete base with a lightweight steel truss frame and a metal mesh envelope — an approach the architects insist is structurally sound.
The most persistent criticism has centred on the roof and the stadium's open corners. VG13 responded by explaining that the stands overlap through a geometric arrangement, which should keep the atmosphere compact without blocking views of Maksimir Park, the large green space that borders the site. Every seat will sit under cover, though the team admitted that on windy days some spectators might still get wet. Specialist wind studies have been carried out to make sure matches can go ahead in a range of weather. The design also lets natural light and airflow reach the pitch — a practical necessity for keeping a natural grass surface healthy.
The political weather around the project is less predictable than the actual weather. Prime Minister Andrej Plenković has publicly suggested running a fresh architectural competition, and in October Croatia's public procurement watchdog temporarily blocked the City of Zagreb from negotiating with VG13 while complaints are reviewed. The architects remain confident and are waiting for the legal process to play out.
For travellers, this is one to watch rather than book around. If the project survives its legal and political hurdles, a modern 35,000-seat stadium with on-site accommodation would sharpen Zagreb's appeal for football fans — Dinamo Zagreb home games, and potentially national team fixtures, in a venue designed around both atmosphere and its parkland setting. Until construction starts, the current Maksimir remains in service, so match-going visitors will experience the old ground for a while yet.
