Štadión FC Nitra (), commonly known as Štadión pod Zoborom (), is a multi-purpose stadium in the city of Nitra, Slovakia, located next to Sihoť Park beneath Nitra Castle. The stadium is primarily used for football matches and serves as the home ground of FC Nitra and has also been the home ground of the American football club Nitra Knights since 2023. The stadium underwent a complete reconstruction in 2018, following which its official capacity is 7,246.
In addition to FC Nitra, the stadium has also hosted matches involving AC Nitra and ŠKF Sereď in the past, as ŠKF Sereď's home stadium did not meet league requirements.
History The site of the present-day stadium has been used for sporting purposes since the beginning of the 20th century. The original football pitch stood on the site of the present-day ice hockey arena, which is located immediately next to the current football stadium. By the 1930s, the stadium already had a grandstand for spectators. The site of the present-day football stadium was occupied by an outdoor ice hockey rink with temporary grandstands used by the local ice hockey club. The two pitches were located immediately next to each other.
Construction of the present-day football stadium at its current site began in 1951. An athletics track was built around the football pitch, with a concrete grandstand constructed around the track. Construction was completed in 1955. In the same year, construction began on a new uncovered artificial ice rink on the site of the original football pitch. The two stadiums had thus effectively swapped locations. Following the construction of the new stadium with concrete stands, some record attendances were close to 20,000 spectators. However, these attendances exceeded the stadium's official capacity.
In 1979, part of the western grandstand was demolished and replaced by a new, modern main stand. In addition to football matches, the stadium was also used for other purposes during the Czechoslovak era, including Spartakiad mass exercises. In 1955, an additional football training pitch with a cinder surface was also constructed within the sports complex.
Following the completion of the new main stand and further improvements, almost 15,000 spectators attended the match between Plastika Nitra and 1. FC Köln on 26 September 1989. However, this attendance exceeded the stadium's capacity, and the official attendance was therefore recorded as 8,556 spectators.
Recent history and stadium redevelopment
In 2007, floodlights were installed at the stadium, and plastic seats were added to the stands. In 2018, the stadium was renovated at an estimated cost of €7.9 million. The Slovak Football Association provided €2.4 million of the costs, with the city of Nitra providing €5.5 million.
Following the redevelopment, the stadium's capacity was initially planned to increase to 7,480 seats. However, upon completion, its final capacity was set at 7,246, with all spectator accommodation consisting of seated places. As part of the redevelopment, three of the original stands were completely demolished and replaced with new ones, while the main stand was extensively renovated and was the only original stand to be retained. A heated natural grass pitch was also installed. The redevelopment cost approximately €7,9 million. The stadium currently meets the requirements for UEFA Category 3.
Transport connections The stadium is located immediately next to Sihoť Park in the city of Nitra, directly beneath Nitra Castle. A large car and bus parking area is located in front of the stadium. Next to the car park is a stop for city bus route 35, which runs from the Klokočina housing estate through the city centre to the stadium. Other city bus services stop approximately 700 metres from the stadium at the Predmostie bus stop, including routes 1, 6, 9, 10, 17, 26, 27 and 30.
International football matches Slovak national team
2013 UEFA European Under-17 Championship
2025 UEFA European Under-21 Championship
Image gallery
References
External links The stadium's official page on the FC Nitra website Stadium Database Article