Stadionul Dan Păltinișanu

About

The Dan Păltinișanu Stadium (Romanian: Stadionul Dan Păltinișanu), named after footballer Dan Păltinișanu, was a multi-purpose stadium in Timișoara, Romania. Before getting demolished in 2025 it had a seating capacity of 32,972, the second-largest in Romania. Operated until 2022, the stadium was used mostly for football matches by the local team, FC Politehnica Timișoara/SSU Politehnica Timișoara. It also hosted a few matches of the football national team. A new successor with 32,000 seats is being worked on to replace it on the site.

The stadium was officially inaugurated on 1 May 1963, then named 1 May. The construction of the stadium was done with the workers from the city's factories. Its structure was similar to the one used to build most of the Romanian stadiums of that time, i.e. compacted earth. This constructive solution proved to be extremely problematic, as the compaction of the earth over time led to the deterioration of the stadium. The original capacity was 40,000 on benches, but in 2005, when the plastic seats were installed, the capacity was reduced to 32,972.

The stadium was named after deceased footballer Dan Păltinișanu (1951–1995) who played 10 seasons at FC Politehnica Timișoara.

The floodlighting system, with a density of 1,456 lx, was inaugurated in 2003, at a match against Petrolul Ploiești. Following two general renovations, in 2002 and 2008, the venue was able to host UEFA Champions League games. It was a four-star establishment with all the facilities required for the team, internet for the press room, 30 cameras for video surveillance, electrically heated pitch, an automated irrigation system and a modern scoreboard.

The stadium has long been in an advanced state of degradation, and plans for demolishment to make way for a new venue with 32,000 seats were drawn up. It was finally closed on 25 February 2022, as it no longer met the quality standards. The last event on the stadium was a Liga 2 match between Poli Timișoara and Petrolul Ploiești during which the floodlight dimmed twice by the 37th minute, and thus resulting in an automatic technical loss being sanctioned for the hosting city team. It was then demolished in 2025.

The Romania national football team played selected matches at the venue. The first game was played in March 1983 against Yugoslavia. Since then another six games were played [ contradictory ], the last one in March 2010 against Israel.

The Romania national football team played selected matches at the venue. The first game was played in March 1983 against Yugoslavia. Since then another six games were played [ contradictory ], the last one in March 2010 against Israel.