Sóstói Stadion

Sóstói Stadion
Coordinates 47°10′25.3″N 18°24′55.3″E / 47.173694°N 18.415361°ECoordinates: 47°10′25.3″N 18°24′55.3″E / 47.173694°N 18.415361°E
Capacity 14,300[1]
Field size 105 x 68 m
Surface Grass
Construction
Broke ground 1963
Opened 1967
Renovated 2002–2004
Tenants
Videoton FC (1967–present)
Gázszer FC (1997–98)

The Sóstói Stadion is a multi-purpose stadium in Székesfehérvár, Hungary, primarily used for football matches.[2] The stadium holds 14,300 people and is the home of reigning Hungarian champions Videoton FC. The football arena was opened in 1967 and set its record attendance on 8 May 1985, when 40,000 fans flocked to see the UEFA Cup Final first leg between Videoton and Real Madrid.[3]

History

The construction of the stadium began on 1963, however, following the World War II, there were already held matches on that site. It took four years to finish the work, and the inaugural match took place on 30 September 1967, when VT Vasas hosted East German side FC Rot-Weiß Erfurt.[3] Ferenc Bognár was the first ever player to score in the new stadium, hitting a freekick from a distance of 22 meters.[4]

The floodlighting system was set up in 1978, followed by further improvements four years later, which made the Sóstói Stadion one of the most up-to-date football venues in the country that time.[1]

The arena was part of the Hungarian Euro 2004, Euro 2008 and Euro 2012 bids and therefore went through significant developments in the 2000s. The stadium got a new main stand, an improved access control system and CCTV cameras were set up for the complete video surveillance. New media and VIP sections were formed as well to meet the strict criteria of the UEFA.[1]

Although amelioration slowed down following the unsuccessful European Championship candidations, Sóstói Stadion still remains one of the best equipped stadiums in Hungary. The floodlights are able to illuminate the field with 1500 lux, and an under soil heating system being installed under the main pitch, making the sports complex available to host UEFA Europa League and UEFA Champions League matches.[1]

Reconstruction

On 12 November 2014, the design of the new stadium was revealed at press conference held by László Vigh and András Cser-Palkovics, mayor of Székesfehérvár. Three new stands are going to be built. The main stand is going to be renewed. The reconstruction is going to start in autumn 2015. The expected finish of the construction is going to be the end of 2016. During the 2015-16 season the club are going to play their matches at the Pancho Arena in Felcsút, Fejér County.[5]

International matches

The table below shows the matches played by the Hungarian national team in the Sóstói Stadion. Hungary's goals tally first.[6]

Date Opponent Result Competition
29 May 1974  Yugoslavia 4–2 Friendly
23 May 1983  Norway 0–0 Friendly
9 October 1991  Belgium 0–2 Friendly
15 November 2006  Canada 1–0 Friendly
8 September 2007  Bosnia and Herzegovina 1–0 Euro 2008 qualifying
17 November 2010  Lithuania 2–0 Friendly

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Sostoi Stadium". Videoton FC official website. Retrieved 19 June 2011.
  2. "Sóstói Stadion". Stadium Database. 10 February 2015.
  3. 3.0 3.1 "Székesfehérvár, Sóstói Stadion" (in Hungarian). magyarfutball.hu. Retrieved 19 June 2011.
  4. "Sóstói Stadion" (in Hungarian). Videoton FC official website. Retrieved 19 June 2011.
  5. "Videoton: ilyen lesz a megújuló Sóstói Stadion - látványtervek". Nemzeti Sport. 12 November 2014.
  6. "Mérkőzések" (in Hungarian). magyarfutball.hu. Retrieved 19 June 2011.

External links