In the rapidly rising National Stadium – the first goal

2026-03-18 00:33 © fkzalgiris.lt

At the construction site of the Vilnius multifunctional National Stadium complex, where the second stage of the installation of the stadium's structures with 18,000 seats has recently begun, representatives of the city's football club "Žalgiris" visited and assessed the progress of the works. The general contractor of the stadium and its surroundings, "Naresta," reports that a second impressive-sized crane has started operations at the construction site in recent days: this is aimed at speeding up the work so that the first matches, ensuring the UEFA IV category for the capital, could be held as early as the fall of 2027.

"The first stage of the stadium's structure installation was completed in just over three months - exactly as we planned. We have started the second stage of work, which we plan to complete at the beginning of summer.

We are looking for solutions that will further increase the pace. The second crane allows us to install reinforced concrete elements even faster and to simultaneously undertake other work in areas where the main structures have already been installed. We are doing all this so that you can play the first matches here in 2027 in relatively good weather," - said the head of "Naresta," Tadas Grincevičius, at the meeting with the representatives of "Žalgiris."

According to him, the systematic and constructive collaboration of all the teams involved in the project allows for stable construction while adhering to the schedule. Currently, 1,670 of more than 5,000 pre-fabricated reinforced concrete elements have already been installed. They are being used to build columns, walls, ceiling slabs, edge beams, stairs, and stands. Concrete work is also underway in parallel. In the stadium area, "Naresta" and subcontractor teams have already laid about 2 km of pipelines, with the majority of the sewage and 30 percent of the water supply infrastructure installed.

On Friday, the construction progress was evaluated by the president of FK "Žalgiris," Andrius Tapinas, the club director Mindaugas Kasperūnas, and team representatives. M. Kasperūnas, who celebrated his birthday on the day of the visit, became the author of the first historic goal at the National Stadium pitch - he kicked the "Žalgiris" ball into the makeshift goal guarded by T. Grincevičius of "Naresta."

"Seeing the stands rising after so many decades of waiting is an indescribable feeling. For FK "Žalgiris" and the entire Vilnius football community, this stadium is a promise of new, true homes. We are extremely happy to see the pace and professionalism of "Naresta" and other partners. We are eagerly waiting for the day when we can step onto the pitch here, and thousands of Vilnius residents will fill the stands and together create a new history of capital football," - said club president A. Tapinas.

Club director M. Kasperūnas emphasized that the club's future vision is inseparable from a strong community and full stands.

"It is understood by everyone that a modern stadium is very important for the club. However, FK "Žalgiris" is first and foremost about people - fans and the community. Last week it was very nice to see the "Sportimos" arena. Now we will do everything to ensure that the stands are full for the first home game.

In the future, we will aim not only for victories on the pitch - we want Vilnius residents to willingly come to their club's matches, and one day we will fill the new National Stadium together. It is nice to see that step by step we are moving towards the goal that this stadium will delight the entire "Žalgiris" community in the future," - says M. Kasperūnas.

Presented the construction stages

According to Arvydas Avulis, the chairman of the board of the real estate development company "Hanner," which took over the concession for the National Stadium complex, it is planned that the construction work on all facilities in the multifunctional complex will proceed in parallel, allowing the entire project to be completed at the same time.

"Next spring, not only the stadium but also the kindergarten, cultural center, and arena roofs and facade load-bearing structures will rise; the structural work for all facilities is planned to be completed by February 2027. By the middle of next year, the installation of engineering systems will also begin throughout the territory," - states A. Avulis.

In 2027, it is planned to complete the finishing and landscaping work for the stadium, arena, kindergarten, and cultural center. The multifunctional complex will be surrounded by a new park.

The stadium's basement will have facilities for a museum, player and media spaces. The first and second floors will feature spectator zones and commercial spaces for catering establishments, and the third floor will house auxiliary and administrative facilities.