Steaua Stadium

Stadionul Ghencea -- the historic predecessor

The original Stadionul Ghencea opened in 1974 and served as Steaua's home for more than four decades. Its most celebrated chapter came in 1986, when Steaua became the first Eastern European club to win the European Cup, defeating FC Barcelona on penalties (2-0 on penalties after a 0-0 draw after extra time) in the final held in Seville. Goalkeeper Helmuth Duckadam saved all four of Barcelona's spot-kicks -- an achievement that remains unique in the history of European club final shoot-outs. The stadium, which held over 30,000 spectators, was renowned for its electric atmosphere on European nights and became synonymous with the peak of Romanian football.

The old ground was demolished between 2018 and 2021 to make way for the new arena. The demolition stirred deep emotion among supporters for whom the original Ghencea pitch was sacred ground.

Construction of the new stadium (2018-2021)

The new stadium was commissioned by the Romanian Ministry of National Defence. Work ran from 2018 to 2021 at a cost of approximately 100 million euros. The arena was inaugurated in 2021 and CSA Steaua first played there in the 2021/22 season. Its capacity of 31,254 places it in the mid-sized tier of European stadia, but its facilities and technology meet UEFA Category 3 requirements.

The identity dispute

Running parallel to construction was a years-long legal battle over the right to use the Steaua name and the club's historical record. The courts ultimately ruled that the historic titles and the name belong to CSA Steaua, while the commercial successor FCSB (Fotbal Club FCSB) lost those claims. The new stadium thus became a symbol of the army club's return -- as the institution argues, of the real Steaua -- to the top of Romanian football.

Army identity and CSA Steaua supporters

The atmosphere inside Stadionul Steaua is defined by the club's military identity and a deep nostalgia for Romanian football's golden era. CSA Steaua fans -- proudly calling their side Armata (The Army) -- form a tight-knit community that regards the club as the sole legitimate heir to Steaua's traditions. The stands are filled with red, green and blue -- the historical colours -- and flags bearing the star that has been the club's emblem for decades.

No event looms larger in the supporters' collective memory than the 1986 European Cup triumph. Every year the Ghencea community marks the penalty shoot-out victory over Barcelona in Seville: goalkeeper Helmuth Duckadam saved all four Barcelona penalties -- a feat that has never been replicated in any European club final since, and which remains the defining miracle of Romanian football.

Derbies and rivalries

The most charged fixture in Bucharest involves both the pitch and the courtroom: the encounter between CSA Steaua and FCSB is a unique rivalry in European football, two entities claiming the same roots but competing, for now, at different levels of the football pyramid. When they do meet -- in cup competitions or if promotion/relegation brings them together -- the tension is extraordinary. The classic derbies against Dinamo Bucharest and Rapid Bucharest also pack the stands and generate the fierce, passionate atmosphere for which Bucharest football is increasingly known internationally.

Getting to the stadium

Stadionul Steaua is located in the Ghencea district of south-western Bucharest. Public transport options:

• Metro: Station Ghencea on Line M5 (purple line, opened 2020) is approximately 10 minutes on foot from the stadium. Line M5 connects the Drumul Taberei area directly to central Bucharest.
• Bus / trolleybus: RATB routes along Bulevardul Ghencea provide an alternative; service is generally frequent even outside peak hours.
• Car: Parking near the stadium is limited on matchdays; parking at the Ghencea metro station and walking is the recommended approach.
• Taxi / rideshare: Uber and Bolt operate throughout Bucharest; from Piața Unirii the journey takes approximately 20-30 minutes depending on traffic.

Tickets and fixtures

Tickets for CSA Steaua matches are sold via the club's official website and the stadium box offices. The arena's capacity of 31,254 means that Romanian SuperLiga fixtures and cup matches are frequently sold out. Buying tickets at least a few days in advance is strongly recommended.

Visitor tips

• Arrive early: Entry checks can take time; arriving 60 minutes before kick-off is advisable.
• Food and drink: Concession stands are available inside the arena; cafes and restaurants can be found along Bulevardul Ghencea nearby.
• Language: Staff primarily speak Romanian; basic English is available from stewards at the entrances.
• Photography: The new arena offers excellent sightlines from every section; the central stands are the recommended vantage point for photography.