Greek government backs plan for 53,000-seat Karaiskakis Stadium redevelopment

Government backing at Maximos Mansion

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis chaired a formal working meeting on 6 October 2026 at the Maximos Mansion in Athens to examine the comprehensive redevelopment plan for the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium in Faliro. The session brought together Olympiacos FC President Evangelos Marinakis, club executives, and Piraeus Mayor Giannis Moralis to present the organization's modernization project directly to executive authorities. During the presentation, the participants discussed the architectural, logistical, and commercial dimensions of the proposed sports complex. Following the discussion, government officials confirmed that the administration will draft and advance the necessary legislative initiatives to create the legal and statutory framework required for this private investment.

The government delegation attending the session included Minister of Environment and Energy Stavros Papastavrou, Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister Giorgos Mylonakis, Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister and Government Spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis, and Secretary General to the Prime Minister Stelios Koutnatzis.

The prime minister's office issued an official announcement confirming its institutional support for the project.

The Government will initiate the necessary legislative initiatives so that a large private investment can proceed.

Capacity and architectural dimensions

Under the proposal submitted by Olympiacos FC, the modernized Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium will expand to a seating capacity of more than 53,000 spectators, making it the largest football venue in Greece. The master plan organizes the sports complex across four distinct structural levels and reaches an overall vertical height of 52 meters. The architectural design places primary emphasis on improving spectator movement throughout matchdays, covering the entire fan journey from initial arrival at the grounds to departure following the conclusion of games. To mitigate the traffic impact on the broader coastal district of Faliro and the municipality of Piraeus, the blueprint incorporates dedicated parking infrastructure capable of accommodating thousands of passenger vehicles.

Media and commercial facilities

The interior program reserves extensive square footage for commercial operations, premium hospitality, and international sports media. The commercial plan designates approximately 5,000 square meters for catering areas, cafes, and spectator service points, paired with more than 5,000 square meters of specialized premium hospitality environments. The venue also features more than 100 hospitality suites of varying dimensions to serve corporate partners and special guests. Media infrastructure includes a dedicated Media Center measuring approximately 2,000 square meters, anchored by a 320-seat amphitheater and complemented by roughly 1,000 square meters of supplementary working offices.

Technology and circulation infrastructure

To ensure rapid and organized spectator circulation across all four tiers, the facility incorporates 70 access gates spread across every level, 60 elevators, 32 escalators, and 20 double staircases. The exterior and concourse visual displays feature approximately 10,000 square meters of LED screens, establishing a polyhedral digital projection surface around the perimeter of the venue. Environmental features include a 30,000-square-meter bioclimatic roof alongside dedicated renewable energy systems to reduce environmental impact. The complex also integrates modern technical infrastructure for television broadcasting, stadium sound, and lighting, coordinated through two control rooms fitted with specialized digital operating equipment.