The Fadil Vokrri Stadium (Albanian: Stadiumi Fadil Vokrri), previously known as Pristina City Stadium (Albanian: Stadiumi i qytetit të Prishtinës), is a multi-purpose stadium in Pristina, Kosovo, which is used mostly for football matches and is the home ground of FC Prishtina and the Kosovo national football team. The stadium has a capacity of 13,980.
| Stadiumi Fadil Vokrri | |
 | |
 | |
| Former names | Pristina City Stadium (until 2018) |
|---|---|
| Location | Pristina, Kosovo |
| Coordinates | 42°39′47″N 21°09′25″E / 42.66297°N 21.15688°E |
| Owner | Municipality of Pristina |
| Operator | FC Prishtina |
| Capacity | 13,980 |
| Record attendance | 16,000 |
| Field size | 105 by 68 metres (114.8 yd × 74.4 yd) |
| Surface | Natural grass (until 2024) Hybrid grass (from 2024) |
| Scoreboard | LED |
| Construction | |
| Built | 1951–1953 |
| Opened | 1953 |
| Renovated | 2016–2018, 2024 |
| Construction cost | €10.8 million[a] |
| Tenants | |
| FC Prishtina Kosovo national football team (selected matches) | |
Renovation
editRenovation 2016-2018
editThe renovation of the Fadil Vokrri Stadium, located in Pristina, Kosovo, took place between 2016 and 2018. The stadium, which is the home ground for the Kosovo national football team and FC Prishtina, underwent significant upgrades to meet UEFA and FIFA standards, allowing it to host international matches.
Key Aspects of the Renovation:
1. Capacity Increase: The stadium's seating capacity was increased to accommodate approximately 13,980 spectators.
2. Infrastructure Improvements: The renovation included upgrading the stadium's infrastructure, such as improving the pitch, installing modern seating, and enhancing the overall safety and comfort for fans.
3. Facilities Upgrade: New facilities were added, including modern locker rooms, media areas, VIP sections, and hospitality suites. The lighting and sound systems were also upgraded to meet international standards.
4. UEFA and FIFA Certification: Post-renovation, the stadium was certified by UEFA and FIFA, making it eligible to host international matches. This was a significant milestone for Kosovo, especially following its acceptance into these organizations in 2016.
5. Naming: The stadium was renamed in honour of Fadil Vokrri, a legendary Kosovar footballer and former president of the Football Federation of Kosovo, following his passing in 2018. He was a key figure in promoting Kosovar football on the international stage.
The renovation was a major development for sports in Kosovo, enabling the country to host international football matches on home soil for the first time, marking a new era for Kosovar football.
Renovation 2024
editThe renovation of Fadil Vokrri Stadium in Pristina is set to commence in March 2024, focusing on extensive updates to the field. The Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sports (MCYS) and the Football Federation of Kosovo (FFK) have announced that the renovations will include laying a new hybrid turf, upgrading the drainage and irrigation systems, and installing a heating system to ensure the field meets UEFA standards.
This renovation is crucial as Fadil Vokrri Stadium is the only venue in Kosovo licensed by UEFA to host international matches. Due to the heavy usage and adverse weather conditions, the pitch has become unplayable, prompting UEFA to require that Kosovan teams play their home games abroad until the field is restored (https://telegrafi.com/mkrs-njofton-se-stadiumi-fadil-vokrri-te-shkoje-ne-rinovim-ne-muajin-mars/) (https://www.koha.net/en/local-football/414507/the-renovation-of-the-field-in-Fadil-Vokrri-starts%2C-the-opening-date-of-the-stadium-is-revealed).
The renovation work started in late March 2024 and is expected to be completed by early July, allowing the stadium to host matches in the next football season (https://www.insideworldfootball.com/2023/11/27/uefa-forces-kosovan-teams-play-outside-country-fadil-vokrii-pitch-declared-unplayable/) (https://www.koha.net/en/local-football/414507/the-renovation-of-the-field-in-Fadil-Vokrri-starts%2C-the-opening-date-of-the-stadium-is-revealed).
Conditions
editAs of 2024, Fadil Vokrri Stadium in Pristina, Kosovo, is undergoing significant renovations, particularly focusing on upgrading the playing field. A new hybrid grass surface is being installed, making it the first of its kind in Kosovo. This renovation is a major improvement after the stadium was criticized for poor field conditions, leading to its temporary closure in late 2023. UEFA even prohibited certain matches from being held there due to the damaged field. The renovation, funded by Kosovo's Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sports with a budget of €1.3 million, includes installing modern heating and irrigation systems, ensuring the stadium meets international standards. The upgrades are expected to be completed in time for the Kosovo national team's upcoming matches later in 2024
History
edit
The stadium's construction began in 1951 and completed in 1953. It has been used by FC Prishtina since then.[2] On 9 June 2018, the stadium was renamed from Pristina City Stadium to Fadil Vokrri Stadium, following the death of Fadil Vokrri on the same day, who was a football administrator, player and lastly president of Football Federation of Kosovo. The change was announced by Shpend Ahmeti, the Mayor of Pristina.[3][4]
Notable events
editInternational concerts
editOn 17 December 2007 the stadium was filled with 25,000 people for first time after the Kosovo War in a concert by American rapper 50 Cent.[5][6] On 10 July 2010. The American rapper Snoop Dogg performed in the stadium. This was the second international concert that was held in Pristina after that the 50 Cent concert in 2007 and over 10,000 people attended the concert.[7]
On 15 July 2012. The Albanian rapper Unikkatil held a concert which was the biggest Albanian concert ever held and 25,000 spectators attended the concert to see the “King” of Albanian rap.[8]
International matches
editOn 7 September 2002, it hosted for first time after Kosovo War a friendly match of Kosovo against Albania and finished with a 0–1 win for Albania.[9][10]
| # | Date | Competition | Opponent | Score | Att. | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1
|
7 September 2002 | Friendly |  Albania
|
0–1 | 15,000 | [9][10] |
2
|
17 February 2010 | 2–3 | 10,000 | [11][12] | ||
3
|
7 September 2014 |  Oman
|
1–0 | 10,700 | [13] | |
4
|
10 October 2015 |  Equatorial Guinea
|
2–0 | 6,700 | [14] | |
5
|
13 November 2015 | Albania
|
2–2 | 16,000 | [15] | |
6
|
10 September 2018 | 2018–19 UEFA Nations League D3 |  Faroe Islands
|
2–0 | 12,667 | [16] |
7
|
11 October 2018 |  Malta
|
3–1 | 12,365 | [17] | |
8
|
20 November 2018 |  Azerbaijan
|
4–0 | 13,000 | [18] | |
9
|
21 March 2019 | Friendly |  Denmark
|
2–2 | 13,000 | [19] |
10
|
25 March 2019 | UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying |  Bulgaria
|
1–1 | 12,580 | [20] |
11
|
7 September 2019 | UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying |  Czech Republic
|
2–1 | 12,678 | [21] |
12
|
10 October 2019 | Friendly |  Gibraltar
|
1–0 | 12,000 | [22] |
13
|
14 October 2019 | UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying |  Montenegro
|
2–0 | 12,494 | [23] |
14
|
17 November 2019 | UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying |  England
|
0–4 | 12,326 | — |
15
|
6 September 2020 | 2020–21 UEFA Nations League C3 |  Greece
|
1–2 | 0 | — |
16
|
11 October 2020 |  Slovenia
|
0–1 | 0 | — | |
17
|
18 November 2020 |  Moldova
|
1–0 | 0 | — | |
18
|
24 March 2021 | Friendly |  Lithuania
|
4–0 | 0 | [24] |
19
|
28 March 2021 | 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification |  Sweden
|
0–3 | 0 | Report (FIFA) |
20
|
1 June 2021 | Friendly |  San Marino
|
4–1 | 0 | |
22
|
5 September 2021 | 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification |
Greece
|
1–1 | 1,200 | Report (FIFA)[dead link] |
23
|
8 September 2021 |  Spain
|
0–2 | 1,200 | Report (FIFA) | |
24
|
12 October 2021 |  Georgia
|
1–2 | 3,550 | Report (FIFA) | |
25
|
10 November 2021 | Friendly |  Jordan
|
0–2 | 1,000 | |
26
|
24 March 2022 |  Burkina Faso
|
5–0 | |||
27
|
5 June 2022 | 2022–23 UEFA Nations League C2 | Greece
|
0–1 | 12,300 | [25] |
28
|
9 June 2022 |  Northern Ireland
|
3–2 | 11,700 | [26] | |
29
|
27 September 2022 |  Cyprus
|
5–1 | 10,400 | [27] | |
30
|
16 November 2022 | Friendly |  Armenia
|
2–2 | 2,000 | |
31
|
19 November 2022 | Faroe Islands
|
1–1 | |||
32
|
28 March 2023 | UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying |  Andorra
|
1–1 | 12,600 | |
33
|
16 June 2023 |  Romania
|
0–0 | 11,000 | ||
34
|
9 September 2023 |  Switzerland
|
2–2 | 12,700 | ||
35
|
12 November 2023 |  Israel
|
1–0 | 5,245 | ||
36
|
21 November 2023 |  Belarus
|
0–1 | 5,026 | ||
37
|
6 September 2024 | 2024–2025 UEFA Nations League C2 | Romania
|
0–3 | 12,872 | |
38
|
15 October 2024 | Cyprus
|
3–0 | 12,863 | ||
39
|
18 November 2024 | Lithuania
|
1–0 | 12,856 |
European matches
editThe stadium hosted the 2019–20 UEFA Champions League Preliminary Round Tournament.
The clubs involved were:
Inauguration
editOn 13 August 2018, after renovation was held a 2018 Kosovar Supercup between the winners of the 2017–18 Football Superleague of Kosovo, Drita and 2017–18 Kosovar Cup, Prishtina. Playing for the first time at the recently refurbished Fadil Vokrri Stadium.
          Drita
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Prishtina
|
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Notes and references
editNotes
editReferences
edit- ^ "Nënshkruhet memorandumi mes FFK-së dhe Ministrisë së Kulturës për rindërtimin e fushës së stadiumit "Fadil Vokrri"" [The memorandum is signed between the FFK and the Ministry of Culture for the reconstruction of the stadium field "Fadil Vokrri"] (in Albanian). RTV Dukagjini. 16 February 2024.
- ^ "Prishtina ndërron tapetin pas 50 vitesh" [Prishtina changes the carpet after 50 years]. GazetaOlle (in Albanian). 13 July 2016. Archived from the original on 23 June 2019. Retrieved 21 June 2018.
Stadiumi i qytetit ka filluar ndërtimin në vitin 1951, ndërsa nga viti 1953 është në shërbim të klubit
- ^ Shpend Ahmeti [@ShpendA] (9 June 2018). "Stadiumi i qytetit me nder do ta mbaj emrin e tij Fadil Vokrri" [The city stadium with honorably will keep his name Fadil Vokrri] (Tweet) (in Albanian) – via Twitter.
- ^ "Kryetari i Prishtinës, Shpend Ahmeti: Stadiumi i qytetit me nder do ta mbajë emrin e Fadil Vokrrit" [Mayor of Pristina, Shpend Ahmeti: The city stadium with honorably will keep his name Fadil Vokrri] (in Albanian). Telegrafi. 9 June 2018.
Kryetari i kryeqytetit të Kosovës, ai i Prishtinës, Shpend Ahmeti, ka konfirmuar se stadiumi i qytetit të Prishtinës do të mbajë emrin e ikonës së futbollit shqiptar të Kosovës, Fadil Vokrri
- ^ "50 cent" në Prishtinë" ["50 cent" in Pristina] (in Albanian). BBC Albanian service. 18 December 2007.
Ylli botëror i muzikës rep "50 cent" shfaqi të hënën një koncert në Prishtinë në prani të rreth 25 mijë adhuruesve të tij, jo vetëm nga Kosova, por edhe nga vendet fqinje
- ^ "Rapper 50 Cent performs for 25,000 in Kosovo". CTV News. 18 December 2007.
Thousands turned out in Kosovo's capital Monday to see rapper 50 Cent perform in the territory known more for its political woes than party tunes. 50 Cent arrived for a 10-hour visit that included a concert in a soccer stadium in the capital Pristina, promoting his latest album "Curtis" and launching Kosovo's second phone operator. Over 25,000 tickets had been snapped up for 50 Cent's performance
- ^ "Snoop Dogg performoi në Prishtinë" [Snoop Dogg performed in Pristina]. Malesia.org (in Albanian). 13 July 2010.
Të shtunën në stadiumin e qytetit në Prishtinë, para mijëra adhuruesve u mbajt koncerti i reperit amerikan me famë botërore, Snoop Dogg
- ^ "Ekskluzive: Unikkatili, përsëri në stadium" [Exclusive: Unikkatil, again in the stadium] (in Albanian). Telegrafi. 15 July 2013.
- ^ a b "Kosovo vs. Albania (0:1)". National Football Teams. 7 September 2002.
- ^ a b "Kosova 0:1 Albania". RSSSF. 7 September 2002.
- ^ "Kosovo vs. Albania (2:3)". National Football Teams. 17 February 2010.
- ^ "Miqesore/Kosove - Shqipëri 2-3" [Friendly/Kosovo - Albania 2-3]. AlbaniaSoccer (in Albanian). 17 February 2010.
- ^ "Kosovo (1–0) Oman". eu-football.info. 7 September 2014.
- ^ "Kosovo (2–0) Equatorial Guinea". eu-football.info. 10 October 2015.
- ^ "Kosovo (2–2) Albania". eu-football.info. 13 November 2015.
- ^ "Kosovo (2–0) Faroe Islands". eu-football.info. 10 September 2018.
- ^ "Kosovo (3–1) Malta". eu-football.info. 11 October 2018.
- ^ "Kosovo (4–0) Azerbaijan". eu-football.info. 20 November 2018.
- ^ "Kosovo (2–2) Denmark". eu-football.info. 21 March 2019.
- ^ "Kosovo v Bulgaria". eu-football.info. 25 March 2019.
- ^ "Kosovo v Czech Republic". eu-football.info. 7 September 2019.
- ^ "Kosovo v Gibraltar". eu-football.info. 10 October 2019.
- ^ "Kosovo v Montenegro". eu-football.info. 14 October 2019.
- ^ "Kosovo v Lithuania". eu-football.info. 24 March 2021.
- ^ "Kosovo (0-1) Greece". UEFA.com. 5 June 2022.
- ^ "Kosovo (3-2) Northern Ireland". UEFA.com. 9 June 2022.
- ^ "Kosovo (5-1) Cyprus". UEFA.com. 27 September 2022.
External links
edit
- Fadil Vokrri Stadium at EU-Football.info