Fifty years ago, the reconstructed stadium of Sparta Prague was opened

Prague - 50 years ago, on May 7, 1969, the reconstructed football stadium of Sparta Prague in Letná, Prague was opened with a match against the Austrian team Austria Vienna. In the ceremonial opening match at the new stadium, the Spartans lost to Austria Vienna 1:2, with the only goal scored by midfielder Josef Jurkanin. The original wooden stadium of the famous Prague football club hosted its first match back in 1917, but over time the stadium no longer met some requirements and needed to be rebuilt.

As early as 1934, the capacity of the stadium was expanded from the original 30,000 to 45,000 spectators, and three years later, a completely new main stand made of reinforced concrete was built. Between 1967 and 1969, the stadium was fundamentally reconstructed, with the existing wooden stands replaced by reinforced concrete structures. Its capacity was reduced to just under 36,000 spectators. High terraces lined the pitch on all sides, and the outer side of the stand facing Letná Plain served for communist officials during May Day parades and military parades during socialism. Many personalities, including the later president Václav Havel, spoke from this stand during the pivotal November 1989.

Further modernization was completed in 1994, and since then the stadium's capacity has been nearly 19,000 spectators. All standing places were replaced with seats, and in 2002, a heated pitch was installed.

In addition to the appearance of the stadium, its name has also changed several times. From 2003, it was known to football fans as Toyota Arena, then renamed to AXA Arena in 2007, and since 2009 it has been called Generali Arena.

The Letná stadium is now used by the football club AC Sparta Prague and the national football team for their home matches.