PGE Narodowy

The construction of Stadion Narodowy is directly linked to Poland and Ukraine's successful bid to co-host UEFA EURO 2012 — the first major football championship staged in Central and Eastern Europe. Poland seized the opportunity to modernise its sporting infrastructure and deliver a landmark national stadium.

Construction and opening

Construction began in 2008 on the site of the demolished Stadion Dziesieciolecia. The project was designed by internationally renowned Hamburg-based practice Gerkan, Marg and Partners (GMP), in collaboration with Polish firm JSK Architekci. The build took four years and required an investment of over 1.7 billion PLN (approximately 430 million euros). The stadium was formally opened on 29 January 2012 with a friendly match Poland vs Portugal (0:0). Its retractable glass-and-steel roof and facade in the Polish national colours of white and red became instantly iconic.

Major renovations

Following EURO 2012, a change of operator brought a new naming rights deal: from 2015, the stadium carried the name PGE Narodowy, after the Polish energy company PGE. In 2021, the subtitle im. Kazimierza Gorskiego was added in honour of the legendary Polish football manager (1921-2006), who led the national team to 3rd place at the 1974 FIFA World Cup in West Germany. The stadium meets UEFA Category 4 standards, the highest certification level for Champions League and European Championship venues.

Notable moments

The standout moment in the stadium's history remains UEFA EURO 2012: it hosted several group-stage matches including Poland's tournament opener against Greece (1:1). The entire country was gripped by football fever during those weeks. In 2015, the stadium hosted the UEFA Europa League Final, in which Sevilla defeated Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk 3:2 in a compelling final that brought thousands of supporters from across Europe to Warsaw.

The atmosphere at Stadion Narodowy ranks among the most intense in European international football. Polish supporters are known for their passionate, organised support, rhythmic chants, and mass choreographies that fill every corner of the bowl throughout the full 90 minutes. The enclosed roof amplifies the acoustics dramatically, and during a sold-out international, the noise can be heard from the Vistula bridges outside.

Fan culture

Polish fans have a strong ultras tradition. The south stand is traditionally the loudest sector, organising flag choreographies in the national red and white. Before international matches, the atmosphere builds hours before kick-off, with streets around the Poniatowski Bridge filling with supporters in national team colours. The singing of the national anthem Mazurek Dabrowskiego before kick-off carries a uniquely emotional charge inside the stadium -- 58,500 voices forming a single chorus in what many visiting supporters describe as one of the most moving pre-match rituals in European football.

Big matches

The opening match of UEFA EURO 2012 -- Poland vs Greece (1:1) -- in front of a capacity crowd and the eyes of the entire nation, was the defining early moment for the stadium. Polish supporters had waited decades for the chance to watch their team at a major tournament on home soil. The 2015 UEFA Europa League Final (Sevilla 3:2 Dnipro) brought a different dimension, drawing a pan-European audience and cementing Warsaw's status as a major football hosting city. Annual qualifying and Nations League fixtures at Narodowy -- especially against Germany, England, or France -- regularly sell out and generate an atmosphere that places this stadium firmly among Europe's most vibrant international venues.

Stadion Narodowy is well connected by public transport and walkable from Warsaw city centre. Arriving at least 60 minutes before kick-off is strongly recommended.

How to get there

• Metro line M2: station Stadion Narodowy directly adjacent to the stadium -- the most convenient option, 5 minutes from the central Centrum station
• Suburban rail (SKM/KM): Warszawa Stadion station, a short walk via the Poniatowski Bridge (~5 minutes)
• Tram: lines 9, 22, 24 stop at Most Poniatowskiego
• On foot from the city centre: approximately 25 minutes across the Poniatowski Bridge, with pleasant views of the Vistula
• Car: not recommended; parking near the stadium is limited and traffic management around major events causes significant delays

Tickets and tours

Tickets for national team matches are sold through the PZPN (Polish Football Association) and licensed resellers. Cup finals and major UEFA fixtures tend to sell out weeks in advance. The stadium offers guided tours including access to the players' changing rooms, player tunnel, and presidential box; tours must be booked in advance via the official PGE Narodowy website.

Visitor tips

• When to arrive: at least 60 minutes before kick-off; surrounding streets and the bridge fill up quickly
• After the match: the metro is heavily crowded for 20-30 minutes after the final whistle; waiting at a nearby bar or restaurant on the Vistula embankment is a practical alternative
• Where to eat: a wide range of food and drink options along the adjacent Vistula embankment (Bulwar Florentynski) and at the Centrum Nauki Kopernik science centre complex, around 10 minutes on foot
• Cashless preference: the stadium prefers card payments; cash is accepted but not guaranteed at all concession stands