‘Champions League’s worst stadium’ set to be demolished after hosting infamous England clash and ‘starting a war’
STADION MAKSIMIR is set to be torn down and completely reconstructed.
The 112-year-old stadium is the historic home of Dinamo Zagreb and the Croatia national team.
Despite its poignant past, the ground has been deemed no longer fit for purpose at the highest level.
Dubbed the “Champions League‘s worst stadium” by Stadium DB, Stadion Maksimir has received the green light from government to be reconstructed.
The stadium, which currently holds 25,912, will have its capacity increased to 35,000 as part of the £145million project.
It will also be built in compliance with Uefa‘s highest standards.
In addition to a plush new football venue, the site will also have a pool, recreational area and 1,500 parking spaces constructed.
The project is expected to begin in late 2026, after the redevelopment of Stadion Kranjceviceva across the city is completed.
At that point, Dinamo will temporarily play home games at Stadion Kranjceviceva until the reconstruction of their own traditional home is completed.
The Stadion Maksimir project is expected to be completed during the 2028-29 season.
Maksimir has been the home of some infamous nights for English football fans.
In 2006, Croatia beat the Three Lions 2-0 there in a Euro 2008 qualifier.
The match is best remembered for Gary Neville‘s own goal, which saw a backpass bobble over Paul Robinson’s foot and in.
Dinamo knocked Tottenham Hotspur out of the Europa League there in 2021, beating Jose Mourinho‘s side 3-0 to overturn a two-goal first leg deficit.
Two seasons later they beat Chelsea 1-0 in the Champions League, a result that led to Thomas Tuchel being sacked by the Blues.
In May 1990, Zvonimir Boban infamously kicked a policeman during a riot on the Maksimir pitch.
Amid growing tensions within Yugoslavia, Dinamo Zagreb hosted Red Star Belgrade at their famous old home.
The match witnessed some of the most shocking hooliganism in football history, with the match abandoned amid the violence after just 10 minutes.
With fighting having spilled onto the pitch, Boban spotted a policeman getting in the way of Croatian fans.
In a fit of anger, the legendary midfielder, who would go on to star for AC Milan, ran over and launched a flying knee at the copper.
While obviously not solely responsible for starting the Croatian War of Independence, Boban’s kick served as an emblem of the simmering tensions of the day.
The war would formally start the following year, tragically resulting in 100,000 deaths over the following decade.
As for Boban, he went on to win four Serie A titles and the Champions League during his time with AC Milan.
A national hero, he helped an iconic Croatia team to the 1998 World Cup semi-finals.