Rajko Mitić Stadium

The history of the stadium is inseparable from the story of FK Crvena zvezda, one of the most successful clubs in former Yugoslavia and the sole Yugoslav winner of the European Cup.

Construction and opening

The stadium was constructed and officially opened on 4 November 1963. It was conceived as a monumental concrete amphitheatre befitting the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia's vision of grand sporting infrastructure. Its original capacity exceeded 100,000 places (largely standing terraces), which genuinely echoed the scale of the Brazilian Maracanã in Rio de Janeiro — giving rise to the nickname Marakana that has endured to this day. The stadium was designed by architect Stanko Mandić.

Major renovations

Over the following decades the stadium was gradually converted from a standing-terrace ground into a fully seated arena. European safety legislation introduced after the tragedies of the 1980s led to a progressive reduction in capacity to the current figure of approximately 55,538 seats. In 2014 the stadium was formally renamed from Stadion Crvene Zvezde to Rajko Mitić Stadium, honouring the legendary forward who played for the club in the 1940s and 1960s and is regarded as one of the greatest Serbian footballers of all time.

Notable moments

The defining moment in the stadium's history is the 1990/91 season, when FK Crvena zvezda under coach Ljupko Petrović became the first — and still the only — Yugoslav club to win the European Cup. The title was secured at the final in Bari, but the sold-out knockout nights at Marakana are the stuff of Balkan footballing legend. The stadium also witnessed mass attendances exceeding 100,000 in its peak standing-terrace era.

The atmosphere at Marakana ranks among the most intense in all of European football. The home end, led by the ultras group Delije, produces a visual and acoustic spectacle that is said to make the stadium's concrete structure physically vibrate.

Fan culture

At the core of the fan culture are Delije (Heroes) — the organised ultra group of FK Crvena zvezda, based in the north stand. Their choreography involves vast fields of red and white flags, pyrotechnics, and drumming that begins hours before kick-off. Supporters of FK Crvena zvezda identify deeply with Serbian national identity and with the club's founding in 1945 as a people's movement in the aftermath of the Second World War. The combination of singing, chanting and rhythmic percussion creates an acoustic cauldron that many visiting players and journalists describe as genuinely overwhelming.

The Eternal Derby

The greatest fixture the stadium hosts is the Eternal Derby (Večiti derbi) between FK Crvena zvezda and FK Partizan Belgrade — a clash of the city's two giants that is consistently ranked among the most intense derbies in world football. The Marakana derby pits communities, identities and generations against one another. Security measures are extensive, yet the atmosphere remains one of the unrepeatable experiences in European football. International journalists and visiting supporters consistently describe it as a rivalry that surpasses comparison.

Visiting Marakana is a powerful experience for any football fan, but it requires preparation — particularly for high-risk fixtures.

How to get there

• Tram: Lines 9 and 10 stop close to the stadium; central Belgrade (Terazije) is reachable in approximately 15–20 minutes.
• Bus: Several city and suburban bus lines serve stops near the ground.
• Car: Parking in the immediate vicinity is limited; for major matches it is advisable to park further away.
• Walking from the centre: From Terazije (Belgrade's historic centre) the walk takes approximately 35–45 minutes.

Tickets and tours

Tickets for league matches are available through the official FK Crvena zvezda website and at stadium box offices. Eternal Derby and European fixtures are very limited for the general public and sell out within hours. Away fans have a dedicated sector; attending the Eternal Derby as a visiting supporter without experience of the environment is strongly discouraged.

Visitor tips

• When to arrive: At least one hour before kick-off — security checks are thorough.
• Pyrotechnics: Flares and smoke bombs regularly appear in the stands; visitors sensitive to these should be prepared.
• Where to eat: Street food stalls around the stadium serve traditional Serbian dishes (ćevapi, pljeskavica); restaurants are also available along the adjacent Bulevar Vojvode Mišića.
• Safety: For regular league fixtures without rivalry the atmosphere is welcoming to visitors; the Eternal Derby and other high-risk matches demand extra caution.