Cluj Arena
Cluj Arena is a multi-purpose stadium in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, serving primarily as the home ground for the football club Universitatea Cluj, with a seating capacity of 30,335, including dedicated sections for VIP, press, and disabled access.[1] Opened on October 1, 2011, following construction from 2009 to 2011 at a cost of €45 million, it features a modern bowl-shaped design with four covered two-tiered stands and an 8-lane athletics track, making it Romania's premier venue for track and field events.[1] Located at Aleea Stadionului 2 near Central Park and the Someșul Mic River, approximately 1 km west of the old town, the stadium was built to UEFA Category 4 standards and includes facilities such as offices, underground parking, and translucent facades that enhance its integration with the urban landscape.[1][2] The stadium's development replaced earlier structures on the site, beginning with a 1911 athletic and soccer venue featuring a wooden tribune, which was upgraded to a concrete stadium in 1961 before demolition in late 2008 to make way for the current arena.[2] Designed by the architectural firm Dico și Țigănaș, the project emphasized fluid, organic forms with an artificial slope connecting to the adjacent park, earning it the top prize at the 2011 Order of Architects of Romania Awards for its innovative transparency and evening illumination that positions it as a landmark.[2] Funding was split with 30% from the national government and the remainder from Cluj County, addressing the city's need for a contemporary venue compliant with international sports regulations.[1] Beyond football, where it hosts Liga I matches for Universitatea Cluj—including the first home league game on October 29, 2011, against Dinamo București—the arena has staged diverse events such as the opening concert by The Scorpions on October 8, 2011, and numerous international performances by artists like Martin Garrix, alongside major festivals including Untold.[3] It has also accommodated rugby union, athletics competitions, and occasional UEFA Europa League fixtures for local teams like CFR Cluj, underscoring its role as a versatile cultural and sporting hub in Transylvania.[3][4]General Information
Location and Ownership
The Cluj Arena is situated in the Gruia district of Cluj-Napoca, Romania, at geographic coordinates 46°46′6″N 23°34′20″E, adjacent to the city's Central Park and along the Someșul Mic River.[5][6][3] Ownership of the stadium resides with the Cluj County Council, which has held control since the venue's opening in 2011.[7][8] The facility was constructed on the site of the former Stadionul Ion Moina, encompassing a land area of approximately 6 hectares.[9][10][11] Operational management is overseen by the Cluj County Council, ensuring compliance with international standards, including UEFA Elite Stadium (Category 4) certification for hosting high-level football and multi-purpose events.[12][13][14]Capacity and Dimensions
The Cluj Arena has a total seating capacity of 30,335, making it an all-seated venue designed for large-scale events.[1] This capacity includes specialized seating areas such as 1,464 VIP and business seats, 168 press seats, and 32 seats allocated for disabled access to ensure inclusivity.[1] Most seats are covered by the stadium's roof structure, which provides shelter for approximately 90% of the audience while remaining open at the field level to maintain an unobstructed playing surface.[1] The playing field measures 105 meters in length by 68 meters in width, adhering to standard international football dimensions.[15] It features a natural grass surface equipped with an advanced undersoil heating system and efficient drainage to support year-round usability and optimal pitch conditions, even in variable weather.[16] These specifications contribute to the stadium's classification as a UEFA Elite (Category 4) venue, compliant with high standards for international competitions.[17]Design and Architecture
Architectural Features
The Cluj Arena was designed by the architectural firm Dico și Țigănaș, with ACI Cluj serving as the main contractor responsible for the construction.[18][19] The stadium embodies a modern multi-purpose design characterized by fluid, flowing shapes that emphasize transparency and visual connections between interior and exterior spaces, integrating seamlessly with the surrounding natural landscape to create a contemporary landmark.[20] The project earned the top prize at the 2011 Order of Architects of Romania Awards for its innovative transparency and evening illumination.[2] A key element is the cantilevered roof, which provides shelter while enhancing the aesthetic appeal and functionality of the structure.[20] Structurally, the arena features a robust steel framework that supports the expansive roof and overall form, ensuring durability and openness.[20] It includes an integrated athletics track surrounding the field, enabling versatility for track and field events, though the venue is predominantly used for football.[1] The setup allows for adaptable configurations, facilitating a range of events from sports competitions to cultural gatherings.[20] The facade features perforated steel sheets with a chameleonic white-gold coating that reflects sunlight and enhances transparency, permitting natural light to filter through.[9]Facilities and Amenities
The Cluj Arena features advanced floodlights delivering illumination levels suitable for high-definition television broadcasts, utilizing LED technology to meet UEFA Elite stadium standards for optimal visibility during night matches and events.[21][22][14] Audio-visual systems at the stadium include a comprehensive public address setup for clear announcements and giant LED screens with a total area of 246 m², comprising high-resolution displays such as 5.9 mm pixel pitch backwalls and 3.9 mm image magnification screens to enhance spectator engagement.[23] Among the additional amenities, the venue provides VIP sections with 1,464 premium seats offering viewing and hospitality options, dedicated medical facilities including an on-site center for emergency care and athlete support, anti-doping rooms for compliance with international testing protocols, and a media center equipped with 168 press seats and accreditation facilities to accommodate journalists.[1][24] Accessibility is prioritized through features such as ramps and elevators throughout the structure, along with dedicated seating areas for VIP patrons and 32 spaces reserved for wheelchair users and disabled spectators, ensuring inclusive access in line with UEFA guidelines.[1][25] These facilities contribute to the stadium's classification as a UEFA Elite venue, supporting diverse sports and entertainment uses.[14]History
Planning and Construction
The planning for the Cluj Arena began in 2008 amid efforts to modernize Cluj-Napoca's sports infrastructure, including a bid by Romania to host UEFA Euro 2012 (though the country was ultimately unsuccessful in securing the tournament). The project focused on replacing the outdated Stadionul Ion Moina, a venue originally built in 1911 and expanded in 1961, which no longer met contemporary standards for international events. Demolition of the old stadium's stands commenced in November 2008 to clear the site in the Gruia district.[1][11] Construction broke ground in July 2009 under the design of the Romanian architectural firm Dico și Țigănaș, with the goal of creating a UEFA Category 4 (Elite) stadium suitable for high-level football and multi-purpose events. The total budget was €45 million, financed through a combination of funds from the Cluj County Council (70%) and the Romanian government (30%). The project prioritized compliance with UEFA standards from the outset, incorporating features like natural grass pitch heating and advanced safety measures.[1][26][27] The build process faced challenges, including delays attributed to funding constraints and adverse weather conditions, which extended the timeline beyond the initial target of mid-2011. Despite these issues and a budget overrun from an original estimate of €30 million to €45 million, construction wrapped up successfully in October 2011, enabling the arena to open on schedule for public use while fully adhering to UEFA requirements.[1]Inauguration and Early Use
The Cluj Arena was completed and officially opened to the public on 1 October 2011, marking the end of a multi-year construction project that transformed the site into a state-of-the-art multi-purpose venue in Cluj-Napoca, Romania.[3] The inaugural event took place a week later on 8 October 2011, featuring a concert by the German rock band Scorpions as part of their Get Your Sting and Blackout World Tour, which drew an audience of approximately 40,000 people despite intermittent rain during the performance.[28][29] The sound quality was commended in contemporary reviews, contributing to the positive reception of the venue's debut as a concert space, though the open-air design later prompted minor discussions on optimizing acoustics for non-sporting events in subsequent years.[28] The first football match at the arena occurred three days after the concert, on 11 October 2011, when home team Universitatea Cluj hosted Russian club Kuban Krasnodar in a friendly exhibition game, resulting in a 0–4 defeat for the Romanian side.[3][30] This was followed shortly by the venue's first competitive fixture on 16 October 2011, a Liga I league match against FC Brașov, which Universitatea Cluj won 1–0, signaling the arena's successful transition to regular sporting use.[3][31] The stadium's modern architecture and facilities, including its UEFA Category 4 certification, were widely praised upon opening for elevating Cluj-Napoca's status as a host for high-profile events, though early operations highlighted the venue's adaptability to diverse programming.[3] In its initial operational phase during the 2011–12 season, Universitatea Cluj utilized the arena as its primary home ground, completing a full campaign there and marking the tenants' debut in the new facility.[3] However, early challenges emerged with the turf installation, as players reported an uneven playing surface in the autumn of 2011, attributed in part to cost-saving decisions such as not activating the under-soil heating system.[32] These issues were addressed through maintenance and adjustments by early 2012, allowing the pitch to stabilize for ongoing matches and demonstrating the venue's quick adaptation to professional demands.[32] Overall, the early years established the Cluj Arena as a modern benchmark for Romanian sports infrastructure, with its blend of functionality and event versatility receiving acclaim from local and international observers.[3]Tenants and Regular Usage
Football Tenants
The primary football tenant of Cluj Arena is FC Universitatea Cluj, which has used the venue as its home ground for men's Liga I matches since the 2011–12 season, following the stadium's opening that year.[3][1] The club's relocation from the outdated Ion Moina Stadium allowed it to leverage the modern facilities, contributing to its sustained presence in Romania's top flight and fostering a vibrant matchday atmosphere for local supporters.[3] Cluj Arena also serves as the home venue for the women's team Olimpia Cluj, which has competed in Liga I Women's matches there since 2012.[33][34] As Romania's most successful women's club, Olimpia has hosted key fixtures, including UEFA Women's Champions League qualifiers, benefiting from the stadium's high-quality pitch and seating to elevate the profile of women's football in the region.[34] CFR Cluj occasionally utilizes Cluj Arena for select high-profile matches, particularly European competitions, when its primary stadium, Dr. Constantin Rădulescu, is unavailable or does not meet specific requirements.[35] For instance, the club played UEFA Champions League qualifiers against Celtic at the venue in 2019, drawing on its larger capacity and UEFA Category 4 certification to accommodate international demands.[3][35] The stadium operates under long-term lease agreements with the Cluj County Council, its owner since construction, which outline usage rights for tenants like Universitatea Cluj while assigning responsibilities for maintenance and upkeep to ensure compliance with elite standards.[36][1]Other Sports Tenants
In addition to football, Cluj Arena serves as a venue for other sports, particularly athletics, leveraging its multi-purpose design to accommodate diverse activities. The stadium's integrated eight-lane running track enables occasional athletics events, making it suitable for track and field competitions. It has hosted significant gatherings such as the 2021 European Athletics Team Championships First League, where national teams from across Europe competed in various disciplines including sprints, hurdles, and relays.[37] More recently, the venue served as the site for the 2024 Romanian Athletics Championships, featuring elite performances in events like the 100m dash and high jump.[38] Cluj Arena has also supported multi-sport usage by hosting national championships in athletics and related disciplines, though it functions primarily as a secondary venue when specialized facilities are unavailable. This adaptability stems from its architectural features, including the surrounding track and field configuration, which allow reconfiguration for non-pitch sports without major alterations.[1]Football Events
International Matches
The Cluj Arena has hosted several international football matches featuring the Romania national team, primarily friendlies and World Cup qualifiers, showcasing the venue's role in supporting the nation's competitive fixtures. These events have drawn significant crowds, highlighting the stadium's capacity to foster an intense atmosphere for high-stakes games.[39] Key Romania national team matches at the venue include a notable 0–0 draw against Spain in a Euro 2016 preparatory friendly on 27 March 2016, attended by 30,000 spectators.[40] This was followed by a 1–1 result versus Montenegro in a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier on 4 September 2016, with 25,468 in attendance.[41] Another goalless draw occurred against Denmark on 26 March 2017, also a World Cup qualifier, drawing 26,895 fans.[42] In a friendly against Chile on 13 June 2017, Romania secured a 3–2 victory before 9,000 attendees.[43] A legends exhibition on 16 June 2018 saw Romania Legends fall 0–2 to Barça Legends, attracting 30,000 spectators.[44] The most recent senior team match was a 1–2 friendly loss to Slovenia on 17 November 2022, with 6,845 present.[45]| Date | Opponent | Competition | Result | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27 March 2016 | Spain | Friendly | 0–0 | 30,000[40] |
| 4 September 2016 | Montenegro | 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification | 1–1 | 25,468[41] |
| 26 March 2017 | Denmark | 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification | 0–0 | 26,895[42] |
| 13 June 2017 | Chile | Friendly | 3–2 | 9,000[43] |
| 16 June 2018 | Barça Legends | Exhibition (Legends) | 0–2 | 30,000[44] |
| 17 November 2022 | Slovenia | Friendly | 1–2 | 6,845[45] |