The “Georgi Asparuhov” Stadium

In 1960 the Levski started to build the successive and last (for now) stadium in the Gerena quarter. After the political changes people wished it called “Georgi Asparuhov ” after the name of the legendary football player killed tragically in 1971 in accident. The Stadium avails of 29 200 seats divided in 26 sectors and 3 official boxes. Visitors use 12 entrances for access to the stands. The journalists’ box avails of 130 seats with 24 of them equipped with permanent high-speed Internet connection. The ground has dimensions 105/68 meters and is planted by unique grass cover. Illumination of 1500 Lux is the best in Bulgaria. Pride of the Stadium is the supermodern fitness hall where a whole team can train at the same time.

Centre of the Levski spirit

“Gerena” or “Georgi Asparuhov” today shall always be present in the consciousness and hearts of generations of Levski’s fans. Millions have passed the stands to applaud the talent of tenths and tenths of masters of the ball. History is written here by Georgi Asparuhov – Gundi, Sasho Kostov, Teko Abadjiev, Hristo Iliev – Patrata, Stefan Abadjiev – Teko, Dimitar Iordanov – Kukusha, Dimitar Zechev, Pavel Panov, Stafan Aladjov, Kiril Ivkov, Emil Spasov, Nasko Sirakov, Bozidar Iskernov, Bobi Mihailov, Ilian Iliev, Daniel Borimirov, Dimitar Ivankov, Elin Topuzakov, Georgi Ivanov – Gonzo, and many other favorites of the spectators. The Stadium is host of hundreds of memorable matches. Levski played there the first home duel of the European Clubs Championship winning over the Swedish Jurgorden by 6:0.

History of the first own stadium of the Levski PFC

When established in 1914 the Levski football club has not availed of own football ground. Players have trained on ground with dimensions 80/40 meters in the Mogilkata county where the club was founded – in front of the 22 high school apposite to the National Palace of Culture. Later on the team was trained on the drill ground of the VI Sofia Regiment. Today the “1300 Years of Bulogaria” Monument is standing on the place.

In 1924 the SofiaMunicipality allotted ground for construction of a football field for the Levski football club. Thus the place was granted on the First regular session of the Sofia Municipal Central Council held on 13 October 1924with Report No. 42 in answer to application of the Levski Sports Club filed under No. 7922 / 8.ІХ of the same year. The place is located in the Borisovata Gradina to the north of the Russian vault, near by the Evlogi Georgiev Blvd. , on area of 16 decares. The area covers part of the present Vasil Levski Stadium and the Druzba Stadium opposite to the Perlovska river.  

The design for thefootball ground construction has been worked out free by Arch. Zafir Abrashev that has been one of the Club founders and competitor. Construction was carried out on the voluntary principle with special fund “Playground” established by fans of the Club. Affiliation fees were called “Bricks”.

In 1934 the Stadium of the Levski Professional Football Club (PFC) was already finished and a bath was built up a little later with hot water – something unheard for the time. The labour of club members and fans was decisive for construction of the whole base.

On 22 May 1926 Levski plays on own ground its first international match against the Egyptian “Sphinx” ( Cairo ).

By 1944 the Stadium has football field, benches for 10 000 spectators, track with 4 lanes, basketball and two volleyball sites. There are a restaurant and café also. Matches of the state football championship were played thereon as well as field-and-track, basketball and volleyball championships. The value of the property amounted to BGN 1 011 950 according to the financial statement of 1933.

After 9 September 1944 the Levski Sports Club was closed with decision of the then Central Committee of the Bulgarian Communist Party and transformed from a “club of people” into production and departmental club on the Russian model. The club was renamed to “Dinamo”. The Ministry of Communal Economy was ordered to take all the property of the Club and then the Stadium was ruined. Later on the present national Stadium was built up on the spot bringing thus the romantic adventure to end.

Subsequently the team plays for the time being on the Unak Stadium and then in the Ivan Vazov quarter. But, on the strength of new division into districts the playground becomes property of the Spartak (Sofia) militia team. Now a swimming complex of the same name is located on the spot. In 1960 Levski starts to build a stadium in the Gerena quarter. After the political changes the people wished it called “ Georgi Asparuhov ”.

Until today the Club has not received any compensation for being turned out of its own home in 1949.

For this reason the management of the Levski PFC in the last two years claims, on the grounds of texts of the new Bulgarian Constitution, compensation for the Levski PFC through long-term right to use the Rakovski Stadium that is public private property.

Youth Academy Hotel

In August 2008 PFC Levski officially opened a brand new Youth Academy Hotel which will over the country who has been selected to join the club. The modern building supplied with all necessary facilities and infrastructure for a 3-star hotel spreads at 1.700 sq m and offers 14 double rooms and 5 apartments.