Land for first-ever Hajduk football campus in Split approved

(Photo: Ludovic Péron/CC BY-SA 3.0)

The Croatian Government has approved the establishment of a 50-year right to build, free of charge, on a 71,973-square-metre state-owned site in Stobreč, paving the way for a new football campus in Split.

The decision, adopted at Thursday’s government session, enables the City of Split to use the property for the development of a modern football training complex intended primarily for the needs of Croatian football club Hajduk Split, while also supporting wider football development.

Following the government decision, the next step will be the signing of an agreement between the Republic of Croatia and the City of Split.

Construction of the entire campus is expected to be completed within five years of the establishment of the building right.

The Stobreč property was identified by the City of Split, following analyses of potential locations, as the most suitable site for the project.

Minister of Physical Planning, Construction and State Assets Branko Bačić said the decision created a key precondition for the project to move forward.

He said the planned campus would serve Hajduk but also contribute to the development of football at both local and national level.

The existing sports infrastructure in Split dates back to 1979, when it was built for the Mediterranean Games held in the city.

Bačić said the age of the existing facilities and modern sporting standards meant that the infrastructure no longer met current requirements for contemporary sport and football development.

The government said investment in modern football campuses represents an opportunity to improve training conditions and infrastructure for the development of the sport.

Before construction can begin, the City of Split must prepare an urban development project defining the spatial and planning elements of the future campus.

The government decision also allows the City of Split to transfer the building right to a third party, subject to conditions determined by the city.

The 71,973 m² site is therefore set to become the basis for a new football facility in Split, although further planning and contractual steps are required before construction can proceed.