Kaftanzoglio set for €11.6M upgrade

The project coincides with the return of Iraklis, which uses Kaftanzoglio as its primary football venue, as well as plans for PAOK to temporarily relocate to the stadium once construction work begins on the New Toumba Stadium.

Kaftanzoglio is also used by a large number of athletics clubs in Thessaloniki, both for training and competitions, as well as by athletes affiliated with SEGAS. The facilities are also used by students of the School of Physical Education and Sports Science (TEFAA) at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and by military academies.

The programme, titled “Reconstruction, Upgrade, Restoration and Renovation of the Kaftanzoglio National Stadium of Thessaloniki”, has a budget of approximately €9.37 million excluding VAT and €11.62 million including VAT.

At the Main Stadium, the project provides for structural reinforcement of the upper tier of the stands, the complete replacement of the athletics track surface across approximately 9,300 sq m, and the replacement of approximately 29,000 seats.

The package also includes a new electronic scoreboard, as well as upgrades to the electrical, sound and audiovisual systems and the control room.

Complete Reconstruction of the Auxiliary Stadium

A significant portion of the investment will be directed towards the athletics facilities and the Auxiliary Stadium. The project provides for the replacement of approximately 8,800 sq m of track surface, restoration of the natural grass pitch, and the installation of an irrigation and rainwater drainage system.

In the stands, the project includes the construction of a canopy covering approximately 400 sq m, an additional canopy of approximately 200 sq m for the administration area of athletics competitions, and the installation of approximately 1,000 seats.

The works will also extend to changing rooms, WC facilities, cooling and heating systems, window frames and insulation, while accessibility improvements for persons with disabilities are also included.

Kaftanzoglio is a broader sports complex rather than simply a football stadium. In addition to the Main and Auxiliary Stadiums, it includes a throwing field, an indoor training facility for strength sports, athletics and gymnastics, athletes’ accommodation, warm-up areas and an administration building.

New Environmental Permit

Alongside the investment programme, the Ministry of Environment and Energy approved, on 18 September 2026, the amendment, renewal and restatement of the environmental operating conditions for Kaftanzoglio.

The decision concerns a complex covering a total area of 108,927 sq m, located along the extension of Agiou Dimitriou Street, and covers the stadium’s post-Olympic uses. It does not include the Sports Museum building, which was not included in the original environmental permitting process.

The environmental permitting procedure began in August 2025, followed by a public consultation and opinions from the services of the Region of Central Macedonia, the General Secretariat of Sports, the Ministry of Culture and other competent authorities.