Prague is planning a competition for the use and design of the stadium at Strahov

Prague – The Prague City Hall plans to announce a design competition for the future use and appearance of the Strahov stadium, which the city owns, and its surroundings, in collaboration with its Institute of Planning and Development (IPR). This was stated by Deputy Mayor for Urban Development Petr Hlaváček (for TOP 09) to ČTK. According to him, the pandemic has delayed the preparation of the competition, but he would like to carry it out by the end of the electoral term next year.

According to the deputy, the competition should involve both the large stadium owned by the city and the smaller stadiums of Evžen Rošický and Friendship, which are owned by the Football Association of the Czech Republic (FAČR), as well as the neighboring halls of ČVUT. "It should create a culturally recreational sports area," said Hlaváček.

Before the onset of the coronavirus pandemic at the beginning of last year, a student competition had already begun, which was supposed to serve as a preliminary stage for the professional one. However, it was interrupted by the crisis, so now the city will go directly to the main competition. "It's a bit delayed now due to the coronavirus, but I would like to get it done by the end of the electoral term," said the deputy. He added that subsequent, more specific competitions should follow the design competition, which would be organized by individual owners, namely the city, ČVUT, and FAČR.

In recent years, there have been repeated speculations that the city might sell the Strahov stadium because its necessary reconstruction will be very expensive. Hlaváček has now again denied that the city leadership is considering anything like that. According to previous media reports, groups such as Penta, J&T, CPI, or Accolade were interested in purchasing part or all of the complex from some of the owners. New residential buildings are already standing around the stadium; the location is attractive for development companies.

According to the city leadership, the large stadium should continue to host sports events and possibly cultural events. According to earlier statements, the city is considering placing a permanent exhibition of the Museum of Memory of the 20th Century, established two years ago, in the heritage-protected stands of the stadium in the future. The city is also planning an extension of the tram line from Malovanka directly to the stadium. Earlier statements from FAČR indicate that instead of the Evžen Rošický stadium, a new modern stadium for the football club Sparta might be built.