Ion Oblemenco Stadium

The original stadium and its legacy

The history of football on this site dates to 1967, when the first Stadionul Ion Oblemenco was opened. It was named after local football hero Ion Oblemenco while he was still an active player -- a testament to his status as an icon of CS Universitatea Craiova and Romanian football at large. The original ground served the city for over four decades and witnessed the golden years of Craiova football in the 1970s and 1980s.

Over time the old arena fell increasingly short of modern safety and comfort standards required for top-level competition. The Romanian authorities and Dolj County administration resolved on a complete solution: demolition and construction of a new stadium on the same site. The original ground was demolished in 2013.

Construction and opening

Work on the new stadium proceeded from 2014 to 2017 at a cost of approximately 52 million euros in public funding. The design by Dico si Tiganash produced a compact modern arena with four covered stands, an illuminated facade cladding system and a playing surface meeting league standards. The stadium was officially opened in September 2017 with CS Universitatea Craiova's first home fixture in the top-flight Liga I.

Ion Oblemenco -- the man behind the name

Ion Oblemenco (9 April 1945 -- 13 September 1996) was one of the most important Romanian footballers of his generation. He devoted his entire club career to CS Universitatea Craiova, making over 400 appearances. He represented Romania at the 1970 FIFA World Cup in Mexico. His physical strength, resilience and one-club loyalty earned him the nickname the Banat Bull. He died aged 51, and the stadium bears his name as a permanent tribute to his enduring legacy in Craiova football.

The passion of Oltenia

The atmosphere at Stadionul Ion Oblemenco reflects the deep football tradition of the Oltenia region. Supporters of CS Universitatea Craiova are among the most vocal and loyal in all of Romania -- Craiova football has been synonymous with passion and combativeness for decades. The modern compact arena is acoustically effective, and even a partially filled ground can generate a vivid atmosphere.

The most intense occasions come in matches against Bucharest's major clubs -- FCSB, Dinamo and CFR Cluj -- when Craiova demonstrates that south-western Romania has ambitions to challenge the capital's dominance. The home ultras group Peluza Sud produces colourful choreographies and sustained choral support throughout the match.

New stadium, new energy

The opening of the new ground in 2017 brought a noticeable increase in attendance. Modern amenities -- comfortable seating, wider concourses, improved catering -- attracted supporters who had been deterred by the conditions at the old arena. Although the stadium is medium-sized by Romanian standards, sold-out fixtures in important cup rounds can produce an atmosphere comparable to much larger venues in the region.

Getting to the stadium

Stadionul Ion Oblemenco is located in the western part of Craiova and can be reached as follows:

• By bus: Municipal public transport provides direct connections from the city centre; the journey takes approximately 15--20 minutes.
• By taxi / rideshare: Bolt and local taxi services are widely available in Craiova; the ride from the railway station takes around 10--15 minutes.
• By car: Paid parking is available near the stadium; for sold-out matches, arriving well in advance is strongly recommended.
• By train: Craiova is connected to the Romanian rail network; from the station, the stadium is accessible by public transport or taxi.

Tickets and fixtures

Tickets for CS Universitatea Craiova matches are sold through the club's official website and at the stadium box offices. The arena's capacity of 30,983 seats means that key home fixtures in the league season can sell out quickly. The stadium occasionally also hosts matches of the Romanian under-21 national team.

Visitor tips

• When to arrive? Allow at least 45--60 minutes before kick-off, especially for sold-out games.
• Food and drink are available at concession stands inside the arena and at the restaurants and cafes along Bulevardul Decebal nearby.
• Entry checks follow standard procedure for modern Romanian stadiums; a valid ticket and photo ID are required.
• Language: Staff primarily speak Romanian; English is available at box offices and from selected stewards on match days.