Stadion Stožice, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Stadion Stožice in Ljubljana, Slovenia is the home ground of Olimpija Ljubljana and the main venue of the Slovenia national football team.
The 16,000 capacity stadium opened in 2010 and has natural grass and floodlighting. It is part of the larger Stožice Sports Park which also includes an indoor arena used for basketball and handball. It lies north of the city center in the Bežigrad district.
In 2021, the stadium was one of eight venues for the UEFA European Under-21 Championship and also hosted the final, in which Germany faced Portugal.
The Club: Olimpija Ljubljana
Olimpija Ljubljana's nickname is 'Zmaji' (The Dragons) and a dragon duly appears on the club crest. The team is also known as 'Zeleno-beli' (The Green and Whites) after the club colors of green and white stripes.
The club was founded in 2005 as NK Bežigrad and have won four Slovenian PrvaLiga (top tier) titles in 2015-16, 2017-18, 2022-23 and 2024-25 and four Slovenian Cups. They see themselves as the continuation of NK Olimpija Ljubljana who were in existence from 1945 to 2005 but are not recognized as such by the football authorities in Slovenia.
The old Olimpija competed in the UEFA Cup including in the 2003-2004 season when they lost 4-1 on aggregate to Liverpool in the second round including a 3-0 loss at Anfield after a 1-1 draw at the old and rather decrepit Bežigrad Stadium. Some of that team's more famous performers include keeper Jan Oblak, who started his career in Olimpija's youth academy and namesake Branko Oblak, who played over 200 matches for Olimpija and later represented Bayern Munich and Schalke 04 in Germany as well as managing the 'new' Olimpija. Srečko Katanec began his career with Olimpija before moves to Croatia, Germany and Italy. Katanec later managed Slovenia at the 2002 World Cup in Korea and Japan. Milenko "Mile" Ačimovič is another name who has associations with both the old and 'successor' Olimpija clubs.
In 2015, the late Milan Mandarić, the previous and somewhat controversial owner of Portsmouth, Leicester City and Sheffield Wednesday in England, took over the new Olimpija, an event which coincided with the team's first title.
The team in green and white stripes have a rivalry with NK Maribor, with whom they contest the so-called 'Eternal derby.'
The City: Ljubljana
Ljubljana is the capital of Slovenia with a population of around 300,000 people. It is located along the Ljubljanica River 250 km east of Venice.
The entire historic center is largely closed to cars, making it quiet, safe, and very easy to explore on foot or by bicycle.
The renowned architect Jože Plečnik (1872-1957) played a major role in shaping modern Ljubljana, designing landmarks such as the Triple Bridge (Tromostovje), Cobbler's Bridge, the National and University Library and the elegant colonnades of the Central Market. Plečnik was also active in both Vienna and Prague.
The city's main historical site is Ljubljana Castle, a medieval fortress standing for roughly 900 years on Castle Hill. It is the central symbol and cultural heart of Slovenia's capital.
Access - Getting There
Stožice Stadium (Stadion Stožice) is easily reached from central Ljubljana by Ljubljana City Transport (LPP) buses, with the journey taking around 15-20 minutes. Bus 20 stops at Nove Stožice P+R, commonly used by home supporters, and can be caught from Slovenska cesta near the railway station or Tavčarjeva in the historic centre. Bus 13 stops at Center Stožice P+R, close to the away entrance, while lines 6, 8, 11 and 18 serve Smelt, near the DoubleTree by Hilton Ljubljana, from where a pedestrian route leads to the stadium. Lines 22 and 27 also stop near the venue.
Address: Vojkova cesta 100, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Accessibility
The football stadium features 97 designated spaces for persons with disabilities and their accompanying companions. There are also 60 accessible parking spots for people with reduced mobility.
Ljubljana Hotels
Ljubljana offers a good range of hotel and guesthouse options to suit most budgets.
Some recommendations in Slovenia's capital city include the Tivoli Boutique Inn with a bar and outdoor terrace.
The DoubleTree by Hilton Ljubljana has four stars and is close to the venue.
All photos by Ross Clegg
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