History and description

In the early years, it hosted mainly football matches and various concerts. The stadium underwent a number of renovations in the 1990s and 2000s, which saw the addition of new terraces and a second stand. The Stadion Maksimir stadium was built in 1912, and it opened on May 5th of that year. At first, it was just a pitch with one simple stand. In the early years, it hosted mainly football matches and various concerts. Over the years, the stadium underwent many renovations including additions of new terraces and a second stand. In the early 1990s, it was renovated and renamed Maksimir Stadium in honor of Josip Broz Tito, who died in 1980. The stadium is still used for matches by both HA?K Gra?anski and Dinamo Zagreb. Stadion Maksimir was originally the home stadium of HA?K Gra?anski, but quickly expanded to become Zagreb's prime sports venue. In 1948, Dinamo moved in and it has been renovated and renamed Maksimir Stadium in honor of Josip Broz Tito, who died in 1980. The stadium is still used for matches by both HA?K Gra?anski and Dinamo Zagreb.

The stadium, known as Maksimir Stadium after its original renaming in 1945, was originally built without any seats and consisted mainly of terraces. It has a capacity of approximately 45,000 people.

In 1976, the European Championships were held in the stadium. During this time, it hosted the semi-final between Czechoslovakia and the Netherlands (3-1), and the match for third place between the Netherlands and Yugoslavia.

The Stadion Maksimir underwent major redevelopments in 1997 and 1998. First, the East and South stands were completely rebuilt, and one year later it was the turn of the North Stand to get reconstructed. At the same time all remaining standing areas were converted into seats.

The stadium received a further upgrade in 2011, mainly focusing on its facilities and the pitch.

The stadium is currently not in a state of modernisation, with no plans currently being made to improve it.

(present photos of Stadion Maksimir below)

How to get to Stadion Maksimir

The stadium Stadion Maksimir is located in the north-east of the city of Zagreb and it is about 4 kilometers from the city?s main railway station and a similar distance from the city?s historic centre. The stadium is bordered on its northern side by Maksimir Park, the city’s largest park. The stadium is located close to two of Zagreb's main arterials, Maksimirska and Zvonimirova, which both connect the stadium with the center and the city's ring road in the east.

There are various tram options for reaching the Stadion Maksimir stadium. From Ban Jela?i? Square (in the city centre), one can take tram 11 or 12, which both pass the stadium north over Maksimirska avenue. Get off at stop Bukova?ka or Hondlova. Alternatively, one can take tram 1 or 17, which both pass south of the stadium over Zvonimirova. Get off at stop Svetice.

From the main railway station you can take tram 4 or 9. Tram 4 (which passes over Maksimirska avenue) goes to Dubec, while tram 9 (which passes over Zvonimirova) goes to Borongaj.

Alternatives include bus 5A (to Sveti Ivan). From the bus station, one can take tram 7 or 5 to Dubrava or Maksimir. Alternatives include bus 5A to Sveti Ivan.

All trams go at least once every 15 minutes, but generally much more frequently. Journey times range between 10 and 20 minutes depending on where you get on.

Address: Maksimirska 128, 10 000 Zagreb

Eat, drink, and sleep near Stadion Maksimir

Maksimir Stadium is located in a residential neighbourhood and it is bordered on its northern side by Maksimir Park which is a nice place to spend a few hours on a nice day. There is also a zoo nearby. There are some places to eat and drink along Maksimirska avenue, though you can do this just as well in Zagreb's centre and then catch a quick tram to the match.

There are several hotels and rental apartments located to the west of Stadion Maksimir on or around Maksimirska Avenue. A hotel, Hotel Maksimir, is affordable and has received decent reviews, while the Funk Lounge Hostel will suit the budget traveller.

The best hotels near Stadion Maksimir are either in central Zagreb or close to the stadium.

Dinamo Zagreb Tickets

Tickets for Dinamo matches can be bought online, or at the ticket office at the stadium on the day of the match. Ticket sales are available from a few hours before kick-off at the gate. Dinamo never sell out a regular league match. Identification may be required to be able to purchase tickets.

Tickets for regular league matches typically range in price from Croatian kn 5 for a seat behind the goal to Croatian kn 15 for one at the main stand. Prices will be higher for more important matches (e.g. Champions League), though Dinamo also occasionally offer discounted prices as cheap as Croatian kuna 1.

Relevant Internet links

The official website of GNK Dinamo Zagreb is gnkdinamo.hr, while the website for the Zagreb Tourist Board is zet.hr. Finally, public transport information can be found at zet.hr. I caught tram number 7 from outside the bus station. There are various trams that go to the stadium. I would go there again if the game against Hajduk or European opposition was taking place.

I caught tram number 7 from outside the bus station. There are various trams that go to the stadium. I would like to go there again, but maybe for the game against Hajduk or European opposition.