Колежа / Kolezha (The College) | |
 | |
| Location | Plovdiv, Bulgaria |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 42°08′23.50″N 24°45′52″E / 42.1398611°N 24.76444°E |
| Owner | Plovdiv Municipality |
| Operator | Botev Plovdiv |
| Capacity | 18,777 |
| Record attendance | 40,000 (Botev Plovdiv–Atlético Madrid, 27 February 1963) |
| Field size | 105m x 68m |
| Surface | Grass |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | 1923 |
| Built | 1959–1961 |
| Opened | 14 May 1961 |
| Renovated | 1993, 1995, 2008, 2012, 2013–2023 |
| Architect | Anton Karavelov old version, Georgi Savov new version |
| Tenants | |
| Botev Plovdiv (1961–present) Bulgaria national football team (2024–present) | |
Stadion Hristo Botev (Bulgarian: Стадион „Христо Ботев“, English: 'Hristo Botev Stadium') is a football stadium currently undergoing reconstruction in the Kamenitsa neighbourhood of Plovdiv, Bulgaria. It is the home of Botev Plovdiv. Originally named The College, it is still popular by this name amongst fans, as in the early 20th century the pitch was owned by Saint Augustine Catholic College.
The stadium hosted the 2000 Bulgarian Cup Final. In the past it has also been used as a home ground by other football teams from the city; Lokomotiv Plovdiv played their home matches on the venue during the second half of the 1979–80 season, as well as one match in the 2003–04 season. It was also used by Spartak Plovdiv for several games during the 1995–96 season.
Since the middle of 2014 the stadium's reconstruction is on hold, due to the lack of financing. It is estimated that nearly €15,000,000 are needed in order for it to be completed.[1] Since then, finances have been found and the reconstruction of the stadium is currently ongoing. The first phase of the reconstruction, which involved making the stadium suitable for hosting football matches, was completed in March 2023.[2]
- ^ "Близо 30 млн. лв. трябват за довършването на ст. "Христо Ботев"". Novasport.com (in Bulgarian). 29 March 2017. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
- ^ "Колежа очаква мача с Левски, Етап 1 е напълно завършен". dsport.bg (in Bulgarian). 31 March 2023. Retrieved 1 May 2023.