International Open Architectural Competition Maksimir Stadium and Svetice Sports and Recreation Centre Zagreb, Croatia
Dezeen Competitions: this latest competition tasks designers to develop architectural and urban design proposals for the Maksimir Stadium Complex, Svetice Sports Centre and Borongaj Transit Hub in Croatia.
The competition was launched following a landmark agreement between the City of Zagreb and the Croatian Government.
Organiser: Zagreb Society of Architects (DAZ)
Competition: International Open Architectural Competition Maksimir Stadium and Svetice Sports and Recreation Centre Zagreb, Croatia
Jury members:
- Toma Plejić, registered architect at Studio Up and president of the Croatian Architects’
Association and president of the jury - Vasa Perović, registered architect, Bevk Perović Arhitekti, Slovenia, and vice president of the jury
- Kersten Geers, architect at Office KGSVS
- Francois Chas, architect at NP2F
- Mia Roth Čerina, architect at Roth and Čerina Arhitekti
- Nenad Fabijanić, architect at Arhitektonski Studio Fabijanić
- Zvonimir Boban, Croatian Football Federation representative
- Tonči Glavina, minister of Tourism and Sport, the Government of the Republic of
Croatia - Tomislav Tomašević, mayor of the City of Zagreb, the City of Zagreb
Alternate jury members:
- Vjera Bakić, architect at Bakić & Kulstrunk
- Iva Hudan, registered architect, senior adviser to the Minister of Physical Planning,
Construction and State Assets, the Government of the Republic of Croatia - Luka Korlaet, architect and deputy mayor of the City of Zagreb
Submission deadline: 17 July 2026
Winner announcement: will be announced in August 2026
Prizes: the prize fund shall be distributed into five prizes in the following amounts: 1st prize: total gross €390,400 (estimated net: €291,200.21), 2nd prize: total gross €244,000 (estimated net: € 182,000.13), 3rd prize: total gross €146,400 (estimated net: €109,200.08), 4th prize: total gross €117,120 (estimated net: €87,360.06), 5th prize: total gross €78,080 (estimated net: €58,240.04)
Competition overview
The competition was launched on 20 March 2026, following a landmark agreement between the City of Zagreb and the Croatian Government.
This €224 million joint investment aims to replace ageing infrastructure with a world-class, integrated sports precinct. The organisers invite visionary designs for a 35,000-seat stadium and a ‘City of Sport’ that honours the site’s historic character while meeting 21st-century athletic needs.
Located in eastern Zagreb, the historic Svetice-Maksimir district has thrived as a sporting heartbeat since the late 19th century. At its core stands the iconic Maksimir Stadium, a true landmark of Croatian sports architecture.
As a site celebrated for its architectural innovation, any new development must thoughtfully harmonise with the lush landscape and ecological heritage of the adjacent protected Maksimir Park.
The competition is conducted in a single stage as an open, urban-architectural ideas-and-projects competition.
The ideas competition encompasses the Svetice Sports Centre and Borongaj Transit Hub (zones A+D) to explore spatial approaches without the commissioning of services.
The project competition focuses on the Maksimir Football Stadium Complex (zone C) specifically for the purpose of commissioning design services.
Eligibility and judging criteria
The professional assessment criteria for evaluation of competition entries are determined depending on the professional field, type, purpose and stage of the competition and the requirements of the contracting authority.
Competition entries shall meet the following criteria:
- success in resolving spatial and programme requirements with emphasis on the design of Maksimir Football Stadium Complex
- integrity of the urban and architectural concept and the coordinated design of all spatial programme groups of Svetice Sports and Recreation Centre and Maksimir Stadium
- a cost-effective realisation of the proposed competition entry in relation to the stated financial framework of Maksimir Stadium Football Complex investment
- contribution to architectural quality in terms of ensuring the quality of public spaces proposed in the competition entry, and sustainable development in the context of energy efficiency
- the jury shall exclude from the competition those entries that do not meet the requirements of the professional assessment criteria, and may also exclude those competition entries that do not contain the mandatory graphic and written documents required for the competition or the model
How to enter
Details on competitor eligibility and entry requirements are listed in the official competition documentation on the competition’s website.
Submission deadlines
The deadline for submission of questions is 21 April 2026.
The competition entry submission via EOJN is no later than 17 July 2026 by 6pm (Central European Time).
The deadline for model submission is 28 July 2026 by 6pm.
The jury is expected to reach its decision by the end of July 2026. The announcement of competition results is expected in August 2026.
About Zagreb Society of Architects
Zagreb Society of Architects (DAZ) is a professional organisation that works with the aim of developing and promoting Croatian architecture and urbanism, spatial culture and environmental protection.
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