Maksimir Stadium Architectural Competition 2026
Competition Brief
The City of Zagreb has launched an open international urban-architectural ideas and project competition for the redevelopment of the historic Maksimir Stadium area and the adjacent Svetice Sports and Recreation Centre. The project envisions transforming the site into a modern “City of Sport” featuring a new 35,000-seat football stadium integrated with surrounding sports facilities, public spaces, and urban connections, while respecting the ecological heritage of nearby protected Maksimir Park.
Intent
The intent is to find high-quality architectural and urban design solutions that modernise ageing sports infrastructure and create an inclusive, multifunctional sports precinct serving professional athletes, fans, and the general public.
Purpose
The competition aims to address the gap between Zagreb’s sporting achievements and its outdated facilities by turning this symbolically important site, rooted in Croatian football history, into a vibrant urban landmark and eastern gateway to the city centre.
Requirements
This is a single-stage open international competition. Participants must submit conceptual designs for the broader area (Svetice Sports Centre and Borongaj Transit Hub) as ideas, and detailed proposals for the new Maksimir Stadium complex for potential commissioning. Submissions occur through Croatia’s public procurement system (EOJN RH), with a physical model required separately. Entries must be anonymous and follow detailed documentation available on the official tender platform.
Jury
- Toma Plejić (President) – Studio UP, Croatia
- Vasa Perović (Vice President) – Bevk Perović Arhitekti, Slovenia
- François Chas – NP2F, France
- Kersten Geers – OFFICE KGDVS, Belgium
- Nenad Fabijanić – Studio Fabijanić, Croatia
- Mia Roth-Čerina – Roth&Čerina Arhitekti, Croatia
Additional state and city officials participate, with David Hines serving as expert advisor. The jury brings international experience from established architectural practices.
Fees
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Entry Fee | Free (open competition via public procurement system) |
Rewards
| Place | Prize (gross EUR) | Estimated net (EUR) |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Prize | 390,400 | 291,200 |
| 2nd Prize | 244,000 | 182,000 |
| 3rd Prize | 146,400 | 109,200 |
| 4th Prize | 117,120 | 87,360 |
| 5th Prize | 78,080 | 58,240 |
The total prize fund is approximately €976,000. The winning team for the stadium section may be commissioned for further design services. Special mentions without cash prizes may also be awarded.
Dates
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Competition Launch | 20 March 2026 |
| Questions Deadline | 21 April 2026 |
| Submission Deadline (via EOJN) | 24 June 2026 (11:00 CET) |
| Model Submission Deadline | 9 July 2026 |
| Results Expected | End of July 2026 |
✦ ArchUp Competition Review
The City of Zagreb organizes this open international competition for the new Maksimir Stadium and Svetice Sports Centre. Information on the jury is partially transparent, with several international and local architects publicly named, though the full evaluation process includes additional officials whose specific roles are less detailed. The competition combines an ideas phase for the wider area with a project phase for the stadium itself. Prize amounts are substantial, reaching nearly one million euros across five places, which seems reasonable given the scale and complexity of redeveloping a major urban sports precinct. For participants, the main benefit is the possibility of winning design commissions alongside portfolio enhancement and international visibility, rather than pure conceptual exercise. The jury features experienced professionals from firms such as NP2F, OFFICE KGDVS, and local Croatian practices, providing credible expertise, although the involvement of public officials may influence final decisions.
Projects of this scale often relate to broader discussions in urban design about integrating large public infrastructure with historic contexts. For more on stadium and sports architecture, readers can explore coverage of similar large-scale interventions in architecture. The ecological sensitivity near protected parks also connects to themes in sustainability.
Conclusion and final thoughts
This competition is led by the City of Zagreb, a public authority with a history of urban projects but limited recent experience in high-profile international stadium competitions. It is relatively new and tied to a specific €224 million government-backed investment, so its long-term standing in global design circles is not yet established. While the generous prize fund and potential for implementation offer real professional value, the strong public-sector involvement and complex procurement process may affect transparency and outcomes. For the architecture industry, it could stimulate discussion on sports-led urban regeneration, yet its overall contribution depends on whether the selected design advances beyond planning into built reality. Participation demands considerable effort and carries moderate risk due to the competitive nature and public oversight.
Registration Deadline
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