S. Darius and S. Girenas Stadium

S. Darius and S. Girenas stadium (Lithuanian: S. Dariaus ir S. Gireno stadionas) is a multi-use stadium in the Azuolynas park in Zaliakalnis district of Kaunas, Lithuania, that is now being reconstructed. The all-seater stadium will hold 15,315 people. In 1998 the stadium was renovated according to UEFA regulations, and in 2005 it was modernised with the installation of the biggest stadium television screen in the Baltic states. The latest renovation started in 2018. It will be the biggest stadium in the Baltic states. It hosts Lithuanian football matches as well as international athletics championships. During a sporting season about 50 events are held here.

History

The first stadium in this place was designed and established by Steponas Darius and Kestutis Bulota in 1923, and completed in 1925. In 1935–1936, the stadium was renovated and named the State Stadium (Lithuanian: Valstybinis stadionas). Starting in 1969 the stadium underwent another reconstruction that lasted for 10 years until August 1979. Wooden tribunes were replaced with reinforced concrete structures and placed in a half circle.

After Lithuania regained independence, in 1993 the stadium was named after the Lithuanian pilots Steponas Darius and Stasys Girenas, who perished in a crash near the end of an attempted non-stop flight from New York to Lithuania. The site is currently the home ground of the football club FK Kauno Zalgiris and FC Stumbras. It is a part of the S. Darius and S. Girenas sport center, which also includes the nearby Kaunas Sports Hall, built in 1939.

This page also has a version in other languages :  Стадион им. С. Дарюса и С. Гиренаса (russian)