Stadion kraj Bistrice, also known as Gradski stadion Nikšić, is a

multi-purpose stadium A multi-purpose stadium is a type of stadium designed to be easily used for multiple types of events. While any stadium could potentially host more than one type of sport or event, this concept usually refers to a design philosophy that stres ...

Nikšić Nikšić (Cyrillic script, Cyrillic: Никшић, ), is the second largest city in Montenegro, with a total population of 32,046 (2023 census) located in the west of the country, in the centre of the spacious Nikšić field at the foot of Trebjesa ...

Montenegro , image_flag = Flag of Montenegro.svg , image_coat = Coat of arms of Montenegro.svg , coa_size = 80 , national_motto = , national_anthem = () , image_map = Europe-Mont ...

. It is currently used mostly for

football Football is a family of team sports that involve, to varying degrees, kick (football), kicking a football (ball), ball to score a goal (sports), goal. Unqualified, football (word), the word ''football'' generally means the form of football t ...

matches and is the home ground of

FK Sutjeska FK or fk may refer to: Arts and entertainment * Flyer Killer, fictional automated robots in the ''Terminator'' film franchise * Fox Kids, a former American children's television programming block * Funky Kong, a video game character Place * F ...

and a host of

Montenegro national under-21 football team The Montenegro national under-21 football team is the national under-21 football team of Montenegro and is controlled by the Football Association of Montenegro. The team competes in the European Under-21 Football Championship, held every two yea ...

matches. The stadium had a total of 5,214 seats before the addition of a new west stand in 2020.

History

Football grounds in Nikšić existed before

World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

. However, the first football stadium in the town was constructed in 1945. Over time, the stadium was renovated. During the 1960s, there were stands surrounding the entire stadium, giving it a capacity of approximately 15,000. After 2000, there was a new renovation of the stadium. In 2001, the old south and north stands were torn down, and a new east stand was built, so the capacity of stadium was reduced to 10,800. After the Montenegrin independence, following the UEFA rules, the stadium capacity is reduced to 5,214 seats. Floodlights were installed in 2015, although they were first used on 7 August 2016, in a match between Sutjeska and Lovćen. On 29 March 2019, representatives of Nikšić, Montenegro's Committee of Public Works and football association all signed a contract for the reconstruction of the stadium's west stand. The new stand was initially scheduled to be ready by the end of 2022. However, the stand was finally opened to the public in August 2024.

Pitch

The pitch measures 105 x 70 meters. Between stands and pitch, there is an athletic track.

Tenants

During its history, the Stadium Kraj Bistrice was used by

. Also, many Montenegrin clubs played in Nikšić their matches in European competitions. At their biggest matches in the First League, FK Čelik used Stadium Kraj Bistrice. It is host stadium for the

, too.

Highest attendances

Notable matches played at the Stadium Kraj Bistrice include:

Before 2006

*FK Sutjeska - NK Trešnjevka Zagreb 0:0 (first match in First League, 16 August 1964) - att: 7,000 *FK Sutjeska - FK Partizan Belgrade 2:2 (First League, 28 May 1967) - att: 15,000 *FK Sutjeska - FK Budućnost Podgorica 1:3 (Second League, 1 May 1975) - att: 12,000 *FK Sutjeska - NK Hajduk Split 1:3 (Second League, 19 May 1985) - att: 15,000

After 2006

*FK Sutjeska - FK Čelik Nikšić 1:0 (First League playoffs, 28 May 2008) - att: 8,000 *FK Čelik Nikšić - FK Sutjeska 0:0 (First League playoffs, 1 June 2008) - att: 9,000 *FK Sutjeska - FK Budućnost Podgorica 1:3 (First League, 25 May 2013) - att: 7,000 *FK Sutjeska - FC Sheriff /Moldova/ 0:5 (UEFA Champions League, 23 July 2013) - att: 6,000

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Stadion Gradski (Niksic) Football venues in Montenegro Multi-purpose stadiums in Montenegro FK Sutjeska Nikšić Yugoslav Montenegrin architecture