| Fadil Vokrri Stadium | |
| Native Name: | Stadiumi Fadil Vokrri |
| Former Names: | Pristina City Stadium (until 2018) |
| Image Alt: | A stadium photographed by unmanned aerial vehicle |
| Location: | Pristina, Kosovo |
| Built: | 1951–1953 |
| Renovated: | 2016–2018, 2024 |
| Owner: | Municipality of Pristina |
| Operator: | FC Prishtina |
| Surface: | Natural grass (until 2024) Hybrid grass (from 2024) |
| Scoreboard: | LED |
| Cost: | €10.8 million |
| Capacity: | 13,980 |
| Record Attendance: | 16,000 |
| Dimensions: | 105x |
| Tenants: | FC Prishtina Kosovo national football team (selected matches) |
The Fadil Vokrri Stadium (sq|Stadiumi Fadil Vokrri), previously known as Pristina City Stadium (sq|Stadiumi i qytetit të Prishtinës), is a multi-purpose stadium in Pristina, Kosovo, which is used mostly for football matches and is the home ground of FC Prishtina and the Kosovo national football team. The stadium has a capacity of 13,980.
The renovation of the Fadil Vokrri Stadium, located in Pristina, Kosovo, took place between 2016 and 2018. The stadium, which is the home ground for the Kosovo national football team and FC Prishtina, underwent significant upgrades to meet UEFA and FIFA standards, allowing it to host international matches.
Key Aspects of the Renovation:
1. Capacity Increase: The stadium's seating capacity was increased to accommodate approximately 13,980 spectators.
2. Infrastructure Improvements: The renovation included upgrading the stadium's infrastructure, such as improving the pitch, installing modern seating, and enhancing the overall safety and comfort for fans.
3. Facilities Upgrade: New facilities were added, including modern locker rooms, media areas, VIP sections, and hospitality suites. The lighting and sound systems were also upgraded to meet international standards.
4. UEFA and FIFA Certification: Post-renovation, the stadium was certified by UEFA and FIFA, making it eligible to host international matches. This was a significant milestone for Kosovo, especially following its acceptance into these organizations in 2016.
5. Naming: The stadium was renamed in honour of Fadil Vokrri, a legendary Kosovar footballer and former president of the Football Federation of Kosovo, following his passing in 2018. He was a key figure in promoting Kosovar football on the international stage.
The renovation was a major development for sports in Kosovo, enabling the country to host international football matches on home soil for the first time, marking a new era for Kosovar football.
The renovation of Fadil Vokrri Stadium in Pristina is set to commence in March 2024, focusing on extensive updates to the field. The Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sports (MCYS) and the Football Federation of Kosovo (FFK) have announced that the renovations will include laying a new hybrid turf, upgrading the drainage and irrigation systems, and installing a heating system to ensure the field meets UEFA standards.
This renovation is crucial as Fadil Vokrri Stadium is the only venue in Kosovo licensed by UEFA to host international matches. Due to the heavy usage and adverse weather conditions, the pitch has become unplayable, prompting UEFA to require that Kosovan teams play their home games abroad until the field is restored (https://telegrafi.com/mkrs-njofton-se-stadiumi-fadil-vokrri-te-shkoje-ne-rinovim-ne-muajin-mars/) (https://www.koha.net/en/local-football/414507/the-renovation-of-the-field-in-Fadil-Vokrri-starts%2C-the-opening-date-of-the-stadium-is-revealed).
The renovation work started in late March 2024 and is expected to be completed by early July, allowing the stadium to host matches in the next football season (https://www.insideworldfootball.com/2023/11/27/uefa-forces-kosovan-teams-play-outside-country-fadil-vokrii-pitch-declared-unplayable/) (https://www.koha.net/en/local-football/414507/the-renovation-of-the-field-in-Fadil-Vokrri-starts%2C-the-opening-date-of-the-stadium-is-revealed).
As of 2024, Fadil Vokrri Stadium in Pristina, Kosovo, is undergoing significant renovations, particularly focusing on upgrading the playing field. A new hybrid grass surface is being installed, making it the first of its kind in Kosovo. This renovation is a major improvement after the stadium was criticized for poor field conditions, leading to its temporary closure in late 2023. UEFA even prohibited certain matches from being held there due to the damaged field.The renovation, funded by Kosovo's Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sports with a budget of €1.3 million, includes installing modern heating and irrigation systems, ensuring the stadium meets international standards. The upgrades are expected to be completed in time for the Kosovo national team's upcoming matches later in 2024
The stadium's construction began in 1951 and completed in 1953. It has been used by FC Prishtina since then.[1] On 9 June 2018, the stadium was renamed from Pristina City Stadium to Fadil Vokrri Stadium, following the death of Fadil Vokrri on the same day, who was a football administrator, player and lastly president of Football Federation of Kosovo. The change was announced by Shpend Ahmeti, the Mayor of Pristina.[2] [3]
On 17 December 2007 the stadium was filled with 25,000 people for first time after the Kosovo War in a concert by American rapper 50 Cent.[4] [5] On 10 July 2010. The American rapper Snoop Dogg performed in the stadium. This was the second international concert that was held in Pristina after that the 50 Cent concert in 2007 and over 10,000 people attended the concert.[6]
On 15 July 2012. The Albanian rapper Unikkatil held a concert which was the biggest Albanian concert ever held and 25,000 spectators attended the concert to see the “King” of Albanian rap.[7]
On 7 September 2002, it hosted for first time after Kosovo War a friendly match of Kosovo against Albania and finished with a 0–1 win for Albania.
| scope=col | scope=col | Date | scope=col | Competition | scope=col | Opponent | scope=col | Score | scope=col | scope=col class=unsortable | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| scope=row | Friendly | 0–1 | 15,000 | [8] [9] | |||||||||
| scope=row | 2–3 | 10,000 | [10] [11] | ||||||||||
| scope=row | 1–0 | 10,700 | [12] | ||||||||||
| scope=row | 2–0 | 6,700 | [13] | ||||||||||
| scope=row | 2–2 | 16,000 | [14] | ||||||||||
| scope=row | 2018–19 UEFA Nations League D3 | 2–0 | 12,667 | [15] | |||||||||
| scope=row | 3–1 | 12,365 | [16] | ||||||||||
| scope=row | 4–0 | 13,000 | [17] | ||||||||||
| scope=row | Friendly | 2–2 | 13,000 | [18] | |||||||||
| scope=row | UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying | 1–1 | 12,580 | [19] | |||||||||
| scope=row | UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying | 2–1 | 12,678 | [20] | |||||||||
| scope=row | Friendly | 1–0 | 12,000 | [21] | |||||||||
| scope=row | UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying | 2–0 | 12,494 | [22] | |||||||||
| scope=row | UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying | 0–4 | 12,326 | ||||||||||
| scope=row | 2020–21 UEFA Nations League C3 | 1–2 | 0 | ||||||||||
| scope=row | 0–1 | 0 | |||||||||||
| scope=row | 1–0 | 0 | |||||||||||
| scope=row | Friendly | 4–0 | 0 | [23] | |||||||||
| scope=row | 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification | 0–3 | 0 | Report (FIFA) | |||||||||
| scope=row | Friendly | 4–1 | 0 | ||||||||||
| scope=row | 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification | 1–1 | 1,200 | Report (FIFA) | |||||||||
| scope=row | 0–2 | 1,200 | Report (FIFA) | ||||||||||
| scope=row | 1–2 | 3,550 | Report (FIFA) | ||||||||||
| scope=row | Friendly | 0–2 | 1,000 | ||||||||||
| scope=row | 5–0 | ||||||||||||
| scope=row | 2022–23 UEFA Nations League C2 | 0–1 | 12,300 | [24] | |||||||||
| scope=row | 3–2 | 11,700 | [25] | ||||||||||
| scope=row | 5–1 | 10,400 | [26] | ||||||||||
| scope=row | Friendly | 2–2 | 2,000 | ||||||||||
| scope=row | 1–1 | ||||||||||||
| scope=row | UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying | 1–1 | 12,600 | ||||||||||
| scope=row | 0–0 | 11,000 | |||||||||||
| scope=row | 2–2 | 12,700 | |||||||||||
| scope=row | 1–0 | 5,245 | |||||||||||
| scope=row | 0–1 | 5,026 | |||||||||||
| scope=row | 2024–2025 UEFA Nations League C2 | 0–3 | 12,872 | ||||||||||
| scope=row | 3–0 | 12,863 | |||||||||||
| scope=row | 1–0 | 12,856 | |||||||||||
The stadium hosted the 2019–20 UEFA Champions League Preliminary Round Tournament.
The clubs involved were:
On 13 August 2018, after renovation was held a 2018 Kosovar Supercup between the winners of the 2017–18 Football Superleague of Kosovo, Drita and 2017–18 Kosovar Cup, Prishtina. Playing for the first time at the recently refurbished Fadil Vokrri Stadium.
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Gauthier Mankenda
Alen Jasharoski