There is ongoing uncertainty about where the Polish nation team will play its home fixtures this year, as the Polish Football Association (PZPN) was due to make an announcement on Tuesday.
For years, Warsaw’s National Stadium, a modern colossus opened just before Euro 2012, has been the heart of Polish football.
It’s the place where the national team delivered unforgettable moments, from the 2-0 triumph over Germany in 2014 to a string of impressive performances that helped establish the stadium as a fortress.
But now, there’s a growing rumor that the team could be making a permanent move to Chorzów, home of the Silesian Stadium, known affectionately as the “Cauldron of Witches.”
While the National Stadium remains a symbol of modern football in Poland, its operating costs are high, and negotiations over rent have reportedly stalled. PL.2012+, the operator of the Warsaw facility, recently revealed that the rent for 2025 would increase by 35%—a steep hike that may have raised concerns within the PZPN and the Ministry of Sport.
In a press release, PL.2012+ said: “The remuneration for the performance of the agreement between the parties did not cover the actual and total costs of conducting the match operation.
“In the cooperation offer for 2025, the PL.2012+ Company proposed to the PZPN a rent amount higher by approximately 35%, i.e., PLN 1.89 million [€440,000] in the case of a single match and PLN 1.39 million [€330,000] in the case of a double match.”
Following a board meeting on Tuesday, PZPN Secretary General Łukasz Wachowski said: “Talks with operators of various stadiums began in October last year. A meticulous analysis of the offers received was carried out. Negotiations with potential hosts of the matches are at a very advanced stage, which will allow for a final decision to be made in the near future.”
For many, the Silesian Stadium holds a unique place in Polish football history. Though it is no longer the centerpiece of the country’s football scene, it remains a cherished venue, particularly among older generations who remember the glory days of the 1970s and 1980s.
The stadium is iconic for hosting one of Poland’s most significant victories—a 2-0 win over England in 1973 that secured the country’s qualification for the 1974 World Cup. This result remains one of the most celebrated in Polish football history, and the stadium’s intimate atmosphere helped to forge an enduring connection between the fans and their team.
It’s the place where the national team delivered unforgettable moments, from the 2-0 triumph over Germany in 2014 to a string of impressive performances that helped establish the stadium as a fortress.
But now, there’s a growing rumor that the team could be making a permanent move to Chorzów, home of the Silesian Stadium, known affectionately as the “Cauldron of Witches.”
While the National Stadium remains a symbol of modern football in Poland, its operating costs are high, and negotiations over rent have reportedly stalled. PL.2012+, the operator of the Warsaw facility, recently revealed that the rent for 2025 would increase by 35%—a steep hike that may have raised concerns within the PZPN and the Ministry of Sport.
In a press release, PL.2012+ said: “The remuneration for the performance of the agreement between the parties did not cover the actual and total costs of conducting the match operation.
“In the cooperation offer for 2025, the PL.2012+ Company proposed to the PZPN a rent amount higher by approximately 35%, i.e., PLN 1.89 million [€440,000] in the case of a single match and PLN 1.39 million [€330,000] in the case of a double match.”
Following a board meeting on Tuesday, PZPN Secretary General Łukasz Wachowski said: “Talks with operators of various stadiums began in October last year. A meticulous analysis of the offers received was carried out. Negotiations with potential hosts of the matches are at a very advanced stage, which will allow for a final decision to be made in the near future.”
The Silesian Stadium: A Place of Memories
For many, the Silesian Stadium holds a unique place in Polish football history. Though it is no longer the centerpiece of the country’s football scene, it remains a cherished venue, particularly among older generations who remember the glory days of the 1970s and 1980s.
The stadium is iconic for hosting one of Poland’s most significant victories—a 2-0 win over England in 1973 that secured the country’s qualification for the 1974 World Cup. This result remains one of the most celebrated in Polish football history, and the stadium’s intimate atmosphere helped to forge an enduring connection between the fans and their team.
Cauldron of Witches
But nostalgia can only take a stadium so far. The Silesian Stadium, which opened in 1956, is now showing its age. The athletic track surrounding the pitch, though a historical feature, creates a significant gap between the fans and the action. For those seeking an electric atmosphere, this distance has proven to be a challenge, and many feel that the old stadium cannot replicate the modern, intense experience of the National Stadium.
Still, Chorzów has not lost its charm, and for many Polish supporters, the idea of returning to the “Cauldron of Witches” evokes deep feelings of pride. The stadium has hosted many of Poland’s greatest moments in the modern era, including a 2-1 victory over Portugal in a Euro 2008 qualifier. For many, Chorzów is the birthplace of Polish footballing identity, a place where legends were made.
Financial considerations are undeniably at the forefront of the PZPN’s deliberations. The cost of maintaining and operating a state-of-the-art facility like the National Stadium is high, and with increasing expenses, including the proposed rent hike of 35%, it’s understandable why the PZPN might be exploring other options. The Silesian Stadium, though smaller and older, could offer a more financially viable solution.
Warsaw’s National Stadium
Yet, for those who have followed Poland’s footballing journey for decades, the prospect of leaving the National Stadium behind feels like a symbolic loss.
The venue represents more than just a modern arena; it’s a space where the Polish national team found success, where history was made.
The thought of moving to a venue like the Silesian Stadium, while steeped in history, feels like a step backward for a team that has grown accustomed to playing in one of Europe’s premier stadiums.
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