Panathinaikos F.C. New Stadium

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Panathinaikos Athens

The Marfin Stadium to the new football stadium of Panathinaikos Athens and will be home to a number of other departments of the organization. It is to be built to the town center in the Athens district of Votanikos, about 2.5 km to the west.

History

Panathinaikos played since 1922 in the Apostolos Nikolaidis Stadium. This was denied by UEFA fitness for the Champions League 2005.

As the city precluded a new building on the old location, the club took new plans. It was originally planned, the centenary in 2008 to celebrate already in the sporty new home, but this could not be implemented.

Meanwhile, the football department moved to the Athens Olympic Stadium, and should remain until the completion of the new arena there.

In early November 2008, the Greek giants Panathinaikos to the public the final model for a new stadium before, which was in the planning stage is a long time. The building permit was issued in November. The actual construction began in December 2008, the completion was targeted for June 2010. The capacity for 40,000 spectators including 208 press seats and 464 seats for the disabled. The stands north and south respectively 6,817 spectators will find space. For a total of 11,920 persons, the East Stand is built, the West Stand will have a capacity of 12,724 spectators.

Long before the completion of the arena naming rights to the stadium for ten years were sold to Marfin Investment Group. The company can cost this an amount of 2.1 million euros a year, which is approximately equal to the costs incurred for the rent to the city. A special feature of the new stadium is that it is the "greenest " stadium in Europe to be - in terms of both the club colors of the club as well as ecological aspects.

Part of the project is also an arena for the also very successful basketball player of Panathinaikos, which will have a capacity 6000-8000 places. Other sports facilities, for example for swimming and boxing, are being planned, just a modern shopping center.

The area is and remains the property of the City of Athens and the Greek National Bank. 15 percent of future revenue flow to the two owners, the rest goes to Panathinaikos, which has a casual one time being 49 years -exclusive right and shall pay an annual rent of 3.3 million euros. The Apostolos Nikolaidis Stadium, where Panathinaikos played previously, is to be demolished and make way for a public park space.

2013 long-running litigation in connection with the construction of the stadium were clarified. The Areopagus decided that the stadium must be built in Votanikos. In particular, the old Apostolos Nikolaidis Stadium does not have to be immediately demolished, but may continue until the completion of the new arena.

It is currently unclear how to proceed with the project. Greece is in a severe economic crisis and Panathinaikos last could no longer afford the rent for the Athens Olympic Stadium and currently plays again in the Apostolos Nikolaidis Stadium.