Silesian Stadium

The Silesian Stadium stands in Chorzów, within the Silesian Park. It was opened on 22 July 1956 and is still the largest sports venue in the region: the Polish national football team and Ruch Chorzów play here, and in summer large concerts are held on the pitch and the stands.

From 1956 to the roof over the stands

Construction began in the early 1950s, and the opening in 1956 brought about 90,000 people to the stands, according to historical accounts. The venue gained the nickname “Cauldron of Witches” after the match in which Poland beat England 2:0 in June 1973. Since then the name has stuck to the stadium and to the atmosphere created by the fans.

In the years 2009-2017 the stadium underwent a thorough modernisation. A translucent roof with an area of about 43,000 square metres was built over it, regarded as the largest over a stadium in Europe, and the seats were replaced with new ones. After the rebuilding the stadium was reopened on 1 October 2017. For matches it holds 54,378 spectators, and for concerts as many as about 85,000 people.

Neighbourhood

The stadium lies in the very middle of a green complex, so it is easy to add a walk to a match or concert. Next door is the Upper Silesian Ethnographic Park, and a little further on the Silesian Zoological Garden.

Practical information

• Location: Chorzów, Silesian Park.
• Entry to the stands requires a ticket for the event; check the dates of matches and concerts and any tours of the stadium on its website before your visit.
• Leave extra time for getting there at big events, because the area is then heavily congested with traffic.