Varteks Opens New Stadium in Hrašćica
In a friendly match against Maribor (1:1), the iconic club celebrated a historic milestone. The project was completed after more than two and a half years of work.
In a friendly match against Maribor (1:1), the iconic club celebrated a historic milestone. The project was completed after more than two and a half years of work.
Football club Varteks has begun a new chapter in its unique history. On Tuesday, August 4, 2026, the first match was played at the newly built stadium in the Varaždin city district of Hrašćica, fulfilling a long-held dream of its founders and fans.
In the ceremonial premiere, the hosts welcomed Slovenian giants NK Maribor, and the match ended in a 1:1 draw. The visitors took the lead with a goal from Vizinger, but the final 1:1 was set by home player Fran Kukec. Although it was a friendly result, the match itself carried immense symbolic weight for the third-tier club from Varaždin.
Varteks was founded in 2011 by dissatisfied fans, following the renaming of the then top-flight Varaždin club, as well as due to the management style and the leadership's treatment of its most passionate supporters. The club began its journey in the lowest tier of competition, and now, after more than a decade, it has finally secured its own home.
The construction and renovation of the stadium took more than two and a half years. Before the historic match, the club announced: "After more than two and a half years since laying the first 'brick,' the stadium renovation has been completed these days, with the final touches done on the pitch and the surrounding infrastructure. So, everything is ready for matches at Varteks' new home in Hrašćica."
The realization of the entire project is the result of collaboration between the City of Varaždin, the club itself, and its numerous volunteers, with support from the Croatian Football Federation and the County Football Federation. The work carried out so far included the renovation of the main pitch with a state-of-the-art turf, the construction and equipping of player and referee facilities, the installation of protective fencing, nets, and a scoreboard, as well as the installation of an automatic irrigation system. The entire stadium surroundings have also been landscaped.
The project does not end here. A third phase is planned, which should include further expansion of the stadium facilities. Before that, the club faces the completion of the stadium licensing process, which is expected to be finalized during the summer.
The move to Hrašćica represents one of the most significant milestones in the development of this fan-owned club. Varteks had previously played its home matches at NK Sloboda's stadium, and with the acquisition of its own facility, another important chapter closes in the fight for identity that its founders have been waging for over a decade.
