Groupama Arena

The Groupama Aréna is a young ground, opened in 2014. The site itself is far older: Ferencváros played here before, in a stadium named after one of the greatest figures in Hungarian football.

Construction and opening

Its predecessor was the Flórián Albert Stadium, named after the Hungarian forward and Ballon d'Or winner. It was demolished in 2013 and the new arena rose in its place, opening in 2014.

The new ground offered a capacity of 23,700 and facilities meeting current UEFA standards, which opened the way for Ferencváros to stage European fixtures at home.

Major renovations

The arena is new and has undergone no rebuilding. More distinctive than any renovation is its operating model: the venue is run by the Lagardère Group, an external operator.

Notable moments

After opening, the Groupama Aréna was for a time the largest stadium in Hungary, until the Puskás Aréna surpassed it. It remains the country's largest club ground and the principal stage for Hungarian club football at European level.

The name is a sponsorship title; the official name is the Ferencváros Stadion.

The Groupama Aréna is a new-generation ground: fully roofed, entirely seated, with a capacity of 23,700. It was built to meet European standards while keeping the tightness typical of club stadiums.

Fan culture

The home end belongs to the supporters of Ferencvárosi TC, the most successful and most followed club in Hungary. Ferencváros occupies a position among Hungarian clubs comparable to Slovan's in Slovakia or Sparta's in Czechia — its support extends well beyond its own district and city.

Location matters to the atmosphere. Supporters come to the same address their predecessors did, even if the building around them is entirely new.

Big matches

European fixtures draw the most attention. Ferencváros is Hungary's regular representative in continental competition, and those evenings are precisely what an arena built to UEFA standards exists for.

Domestically, matches against the traditional Budapest rivals command the largest crowds. Ferencváros is also the club whose visits fill grounds in host cities across Hungary.

The Groupama Aréna sits inside Budapest in the Ferencváros district, the city's ninth. It is an urban ground on a traditional address, and therefore well connected to Budapest's public transport network.

How to get there

By public transport the arena is reachable from central Budapest, since it stands within the built-up city rather than on its edge. Budapest has a dense network of metro, tram and bus lines, so the ground is reachable without a change from most central hubs.

By car the usual rule for urban stadiums applies: the surrounding area is congested on matchdays and parking is limited. Public transport is the more reliable choice.

Tickets and tours

Tickets for Ferencvárosi TC matches and European ties are sold by the club through its official channels. Continental fixtures sell out considerably earlier than ordinary league games.

The venue is operated by the Lagardère Group, so information on access and facilities comes from the operator alongside the club.

Visitor tips

• When to arrive: allow more time for European fixtures, when checks take longer than for domestic league games.
• How to travel: public transport; a car is a hindrance on matchdays.
• What to expect: the ground is fully roofed and all-seated, with no standing areas.
• What to combine it with: the arena lies inside the city, so a visit pairs easily with sightseeing in Budapest.