View source for Pankritio Stadium

{{Short description|Building in Heraklion, Crete Region, Greece}}
{{Infobox Stadium
| stadium_name = Pankritio Stadium
| nickname = 
| image = [[File:PankritioStadium2019.jpg|300px]]
| fullname = 
| location = [[Heraklion]], [[Crete]], Greece
| coordinates = {{Coord|35|20|12|N|25|6|22|E|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| broke_ground = 1990
| built = 31 December 2003
| opened = 31 March 2004
| renovated = June 2025
| expanded = 
| closed = 
| demolished = 
| owner = [[Hellenic Olympic Committee]]
| operator = City of [[Heraklion]]
| surface = [[Grass]]
| scoreboard = [[LED]]
| construction_cost = [[Euro|€]] 50,000,000
| architect = Vassilis Floudas & Associates
| structural engineer = 
| services engineer = 
| general_contractor = 
| project_manager = 
| main_contractors = 
| former_names = 
| record_attendance = 27,950 ([[Ergotelis F.C.|Ergotelis]] v [[Olympiacos F.C.|Olympiacos]], 20 February 2005)<ref name="record">{{cite web|website=gazzetta.gr|title=Τα sold out των ελληνικών γηπέδων (Greek) |url=http://www.gazzetta.gr/node/173593|date=7 November 2008}}</ref>
| tenants = [[Ergotelis F.C.|Ergotelis]] (2004−2022)<br>[[OFI Crete F.C.|OFI]] (2005−2009, 2025−)<br>[[Greece national football team]]
| seating_capacity = 26,240<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.olympicproperties.gr/contents_en.asp?id=98 |title=Hellenic Olympic Properties: Technical Presentation |access-date=2010-09-26 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100921153802/http://www.olympicproperties.gr/contents_en.asp?id=98 |archive-date=2010-09-21 |website=olympicproperties.gr}}</ref>
| dimensions = 105 x 68 m
| publictransit = 
| website = {{URL|http://www.aahaeota.gr/node/189|www.aahaeota.gr}}
}}

The '''Pankritio Stadium''' ({{langx|el|Παγκρήτιο Στάδιο}}, ''Pagkritio Stadio'', literally: ''Pancretan Stadium'') is a multi-purpose sports [[stadium]] located in [[Heraklion]] on the island of [[Crete]]. It was completed on 31 December 2003, and officially opened on 31 March 2004. As one of the most modern sports venues in [[Greece]] at the time, it was used as one of the [[association football|football]] venues to host matches of the [[Football at the 2004 Summer Olympics|2004 Summer Olympic football tournament]]. It has a capacity of 26,240 seats, and was the home ground of local association football clubs [[Ergotelis F.C.|Ergotelis]]. It also serves as the home stadium of [[OFI Crete F.C.|OFI]] (starting from the 2025-26 season onwards) and also consists of one of [[Greece national football team|Greece national team]]'s home grounds.

==Location==
The Pankritio Stadium is located in [[Heraklion]], at the Lido district to the west of the city center. It has been built about 50 meters from the island coast, and is neighbored by the [[Lido Indoor Hall]] and the city's outdoor pool venue,<ref name="stadia">{{cite web|website=stadia.gr|title=Παγκρήτιο Στάδιο | language=el |url=http://www.stadia.gr/pankritio/pankritio-gr.html}}</ref> of which the whole district is named after (Lido).

==History==
The stadium broke ground sometime during the late 80s, however construction work was not completed on time, and was eventually indefinitely postponed.<ref name="stadia"/> Once [[Greece]] won the bid to host the [[2004 Summer Olympics]], construction of the stadium was finally picked up once again in 2001.<ref name="stadia"/> It was eventually completed on 31 December 2003.<ref name="stadia"/> The total construction cost was estimated at €50,000,000.<ref name="stadia"/> The new stadium was officially opened on 31 March 2004, to host an international [[exhibition game|friendly game]] between [[Greece national football team|Greece]] and [[Switzerland national football team|Switzerland]].<ref>[http://www.la84foundation.org/6oic/OfficialReports/2004/or2004b.pdf 2004 Summer Olympic venues.] Volume 2. p. 324.</ref>

Due to its size, age and ranking, the Pankritio was selected as one of the football venues of the [[Football at the 2004 Summer Olympics|2004 Summer Olympics Football Tournament]], hosting in total 10 matches (5 [[Football at the 2004 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament|men's Group Stage matches]], 2 [[Football at the 2004 Summer Olympics – Women's tournament|women's Group Stage]] matches, one [[Football at the 2004 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament|men's Quarterfinals match]], one [[Football at the 2004 Summer Olympics – Women's tournament|women's Quarterfinals match]] and one [[Football at the 2004 Summer Olympics – Women's tournament|women's Semi-Final match]]).<ref name="aahaeota">{{cite web|publisher=Heraklion Sports Development A.E. O.T.A.|title=Παγκρήτιο Στάδιο|language=el|url=http://www.aahaeota.gr/node/189|access-date=2017-11-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180703133830/http://www.aahaeota.gr/node/189|archive-date=2018-07-03|url-status=dead}}</ref> After the tournament, the stadium was rented out, and has since been used as a training and home ground of the city's [[association football|football]] club [[Ergotelis F.C.|Ergotelis]], and occasionally also by [[Greece national football team|Greece]].<ref name="aahaeota"/> In 2006, the Pankritio hosted the [[2005–06 Greek Cup]] Final, the first to be played in [[Heraklion]] since 1931.

Although primarily considered a [[association football|football]] stadium, the Pankritio, has also been used to host major [[Sport of athletics|athletics]] events, such as the [[Athens Grand Prix Tsiklitiria|2004 Tsiklitiria]] annual [[IAAF World Challenge]] meeting and the [[2015 European Team Championships]] First League.<ref name="aahaeota"/> The stadium has also been used for a number of music concerts, most notably hosting [[Deep Purple]] and [[Vasilis Papakonstantinou]] on May 6, 2011.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=rocking.gr|title=Deep Purple / Βασίλης Παπακωνσταντίνου και στην Κρήτη | language=el |url=http://www.rocking.gr/news/Deep_Purple__Basilis_Papakwnstantinou_kai_stin_Kriti/9474|date=11 April 2011}}</ref>

In 2015 parts of the stadium's west-side roof were detached following a major wind storm affecting Crete.<ref>{{Cite web |last=IEFIMERIDA.GR |first=NEWSROOM |date=2015-01-13 |title=Ξεκόλλησε στέγαστρο στο Παγκρήτιο Στάδιο από τον δυνατό άνεμο [εικόνες] |url=https://www.iefimerida.gr/news/186689/xekollise-stegastro-sto-pagkritio-stadio-apo-ton-dynato-anemo-eikones |access-date=2025-05-11 |website=iefimerida.gr |language=el}}</ref> Eventually the roof would be detached completely for safety reasons. In 2021, the roof was re-attached, however in 2024 the stadium was closed temporarily following another roof detachment, this time at the east side of the stadium.<ref>{{Cite web |last=ΑΝΔΡΙΚΑΚΗΣ |first=ΑΛΕΚΟΣ |date=2024-02-01 |title=Εικόνες από το καταστραμμένο στέγαστρο στο Παγκρήτιο Στάδιο - Κίνδυνος για την περιοχή το τμήμα που αποκολλήθηκε » CandiaDoc-Κρήτη-Επικαιρότητα,αρθρογραφία,παραπολιτικά |url=https://www.candiadoc.gr/2024/02/01/eikones-to-katastrammeno-stegast/ |access-date=2025-05-11 |website=CandiaDoc-Κρήτη-Επικαιρότητα,αρθρογραφία,παραπολιτικά |language=el}}</ref>

In 2025, renovation works began at the stadium in light of [[Greece national football team#2025|upcoming friendly matches]] hosted by the Greek national football team, to meet the highest UEFA category standards, consisting of 50 VIP seats, the addition of extra low energy lights, new sets of railings of different sizes will be installed, and overall exterior rejuvenation.<ref>{{Cite web |last=newsroom |first=sport-fm |title=Ετοιμάζεται για την Εθνική το Παγκρήτιο: Τα βελτιωτικά έργα που προχωρούν |url=https://www.sport-fm.gr/article/podosfairo/etoimazetai-gia-tin-ethniki-to-pagkritio-ta-beltiwtika-erga-pou-proxwroun/5050759 |access-date=2025-05-11 |website=sport-fm.gr |language=el}}</ref>

==Facilities==
The Pankritio Stadium sports complex features in total two football grounds built to international standards (main stadium and training ground), an 8-lane track, an auxiliary 6-lane track, an indoor gym and swimming pool, multi-purpose halls for [[boxing]], [[wrestling]], [[fencing]], [[dance]], [[Olympic weightlifting|weightlifting]], [[shooting sports|shooting]], and [[tae kwon do]], a [[indoor rower|rowing simulator]] and a physiotherapy room with sauna and hot tub.<ref name="aahaeota"/> Additionally, the stadium features seminar meeting rooms, a dining room, and a showroom featuring exhibits from the [[2004 Summer Olympics]] and [[2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games|2011 Special Olympics]].<ref name="aahaeota"/>

{{wide image|PankritioPanorama.jpg|1000px|Panorama of the stadium|alt=Panorama of the stadium}}

The complex is neighbored by the city's outdoor swimming pool and the [[Lido Indoor Hall]].<ref name="stadia"/>

==Tenants==
The stadium has been used as the home ground of [[Football League (Greece)|Football League]] football team [[Ergotelis F.C.|Ergotelis]], since its opening in 2004, as their traditional home turf [[Nikos Kazantzakis Stadium]] was declared unfit for use in official matches at any level of the [[Greek football league system]] since 2004. Between 2006 and 2009, the stadium was also used by [[Ergotelis F.C.|Ergotelis]]' rival [[OFI Crete F.C.|OFI]], until their original home ground, [[Theodoros Vardinogiannis Stadium]], upgrade was done. However, in 2025, given the constant reduction of usable spectator capacity due to safety issues, Pankritio will indefinitely serve as OFI's home starting from the 2025-26 season.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-05-23 |title=Ο ΟΦΗ οριστικά στο Παγκρήτιο Στάδιο τη νέα σεζόν! |url=https://www.neakriti.gr/athlitismos/ofi/2119491_o-ofi-oristika-sto-pagkritio-stadio-ti-nea-sezon |access-date=2025-05-24 |website=Neakriti |language=el}}</ref>

On occasion, the Pankritio has also hosted home games of the [[Greece national football team|Greece]], notably attracting large numbers of spectators from all over the [[Crete|island]].

==Records==
The stadium attendance record and first ever sold-out event was set on 20 February 2005, in a [[Superleague Greece|Superleague]] match between [[Ergotelis F.C.|Ergotelis]] and reigning champions [[Olympiacos F.C.|Olympiacos]] with 27,950 tickets being sold.<ref name="record"/> The result was a 2−1 victory for the home team.

==2004 Summer Olympics==
[[File:Pagkritio.jpg|thumb|Pankritio Stadium during the [[Football at the 2004 Summer Olympics|2004 Summer Olympics Football tournament]].]]
Pankritio Stadium hosted six games of the [[Football at the 2004 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament|men's football tournament at the 2004 Summer Olympics]], and four games of the [[Football at the 2004 Summer Olympics – Women's tournament|women's Olympic Football tournament]].
===Men's tournament===
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:left; width:85%;"
|-
!Date
!Time
!Team No. 1
!Res.
!Team No. 2
!Round
!Attendance
|-
|style="width:200px;"|11 August 2004||style="width:100px;"|20:30||style="width:200px;"| {{flagicon|Tunisia}} [[Tunisia national under-23 football team|Tunisia]] ||style="text-align:center; width: 100px;"| 1–1 ||style="width:200px;"| {{flagicon|Australia}} [[Tunisia national under-23 football team|Australia]] ||[[Football at the 2004 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament#Group C|Group C]]||style="text-align:center;"| 15,757<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/mensolympic/athens2004/matches/round=8690/match=37152/index.html |title=Match report – Group C – Tunisia - Australia |website=FIFA.com |publisher=[[FIFA|Fédération Internationale de Football Association]] |format=PDF |date=11 August 2004}}</ref>
|-
|12 August 2004||20:30|| {{flagicon|Costa Rica}} [[Costa Rica national under-23 football team|Costa Rica]] ||style="text-align:center;"| 0–0 || {{flagicon|Morocco}} [[Morocco national under-23 football team|Morocco]] ||[[Football at the 2004 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament#Group D|Group D]]||style="text-align:center;"| 3,212<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/mensolympic/athens2004/matches/round=8690/match=37158/index.html |title=Match report – Group D – Costa Rica - Morocco|website=FIFA.com |publisher=[[FIFA|Fédération Internationale de Football Association]] |format=PDF |date=12 August 2004}}</ref>
|-
|14 August 2004||20:30|| {{flagicon|Serbia and Montenegro}} [[Serbia and Montenegro national under-23 football team|Serbia and Montenegro]] ||style="text-align:center;"| 1–5 || {{flagicon|Australia}} [[Tunisia national under-23 football team|Australia]] ||[[Football at the 2004 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament#Group C|Group C]]||style="text-align:center;"| 8,857<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/mensolympic/athens2004/matches/round=8690/match=37154/index.html |title=Match report – Group C – Serbia and Montenegro - Australia |website=FIFA.com |publisher=[[FIFA|Fédération Internationale de Football Association]] |format=PDF |date=14 August 2004}}</ref>
|-
|15 August 2004||20:30|| {{flagicon|Morocco}} [[Morocco national under-23 football team|Morocco]] ||style="text-align:center;"| 1–2 || {{flagicon|Portugal}} [[Portugal national under-23 football team|Portugal]] ||[[Football at the 2004 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament#Group D|Group D]]||style="text-align:center;"| 7,581<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/mensolympic/athens2004/matches/round=8690/match=37161/index.html |title=Match report – Group D – Morocco - Portugal|website=FIFA.com |publisher=[[FIFA|Fédération Internationale de Football Association]] |format=PDF |date=15 August 2004}}</ref>
|-
|18 August 2004||20:30|| {{flagicon|Costa Rica}} [[Costa Rica national under-23 football team|Costa Rica]] ||style="text-align:center;"| 4–2 || {{flagicon|Portugal}} [[Portugal national under-23 football team|Portugal]] ||[[Football at the 2004 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament#Group D|Group D]]||style="text-align:center;"| 11,218<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/mensolympic/athens2004/matches/round=8690/match=37662/index.html |title=Match report – Group D – Costa Rica - Portugal|website=FIFA.com |publisher=[[FIFA|Fédération Internationale de Football Association]] |format=PDF |date=18 August 2004}}</ref>
|-
|21 August 2004||18:00|| {{flagicon|Iraq}} [[Iraq national under-23 football team|Iraq]] ||style="text-align:center;"| 1–0 || {{flagicon|Australia}} [[Tunisia national under-23 football team|Australia]] ||[[Football at the 2004 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament#Quarter-finals|Quarter-finals]]||style="text-align:center;"| 10,023<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/mensolympic/athens2004/matches/round=2000001145/match=37187/index.html |title=Match report – Quarter-finals – Iraq - Australia |website=FIFA.com |publisher=[[FIFA|Fédération Internationale de Football Association]] |format=PDF |date=21 August 2004}}</ref>
|}

===Women's tournament===
{{anchor}}
{{clear}}
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:left; width:85%;"
|-
!Date
!Time
!Team No. 1
!Res.
!Team No. 2
!Round
!Attendance
|-
|style="width:200px;"|11 August 2004||style="width:100px;"|18:00||style="width:200px;"| {{flagicon|Greece}} [[Greece women's national football team|Greece]] ||style="text-align:center; width: 100px;"| 0–3 ||style="width:200px;"| {{flagicon|USA}} [[United States women's national soccer team|United States]] ||[[Football at the 2004 Summer Olympics – Women's tournament#Group C|Group C]]||style="text-align:center;"| 15,757<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/womensolympic/athens2004/matches/round=8681/match=37139/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130318131151/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/womensolympic/athens2004/matches/round=8681/match=37139/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 18, 2013 |title=Match report – Group C – Greece - USA|website=FIFA.com |publisher=[[FIFA|Fédération Internationale de Football Association]] |format=PDF |date=11 August 2004}}</ref>
|-
|14 August 2004||20:30|| {{flagicon|Greece}} [[Greece women's national football team|Greece]] ||style="text-align:center;"| 0–1 || {{flagicon|Australia}} [[Australia women's national football team|Australia]] ||[[Football at the 2004 Summer Olympics – Women's tournament#Group C|Group C]]||style="text-align:center;"| 8,857<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/womensolympic/athens2004/matches/round=8681/match=37171/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130318121823/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/womensolympic/athens2004/matches/round=8681/match=37171/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 18, 2013 |title=Match report – Group C – Greece - Australia|website=FIFA.com |publisher=[[FIFA|Fédération Internationale de Football Association]] |format=PDF |date=14 August 2004}}</ref>
|-
|20 August 2004||21:00|| {{flagicon|Mexico}} [[Mexico women's national football team|Mexico]] ||style="text-align:center;"| 0–5 || {{flagicon|Brazil}} [[Brazil women's national football team|Brazil]] ||[[Football at the 2004 Summer Olympics – Women's tournament#Quarter-finals|Quarter-finals]]||style="text-align:center;"| 3,012<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/womensolympic/athens2004/matches/round=8686/match=37181/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130318124119/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/womensolympic/athens2004/matches/round=8686/match=37181/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 18, 2013 |title=Match report – Quarter-finals – Mexico - Brazil|website=FIFA.com |publisher=[[FIFA|Fédération Internationale de Football Association]] |format=PDF |date=20 August 2004}}</ref>
|-
|23 August 2004||18:00|| {{flagicon|USA}} [[United States women's national soccer team|United States]] ||style="text-align:center;"| 2–1 ([[Extra time|a.e.t.]]) || {{flagicon|Germany}} [[Germany women's national football team|Germany]] ||[[Football at the 2004 Summer Olympics – Women's tournament#Semi finals|Semi finals]]||style="text-align:center;"| 5,165<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/womensolympic/athens2004/matches/round=8687/match=37182/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130318121828/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/womensolympic/athens2004/matches/round=8687/match=37182/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 18, 2013 |title=Match report – Semi finals – USA - Germany|website=FIFA.com |publisher=[[FIFA|Fédération Internationale de Football Association]] |format=PDF |date=23 August 2004}}</ref>
|}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20100921153802/http://www.olympicproperties.gr/contents_en.asp?id=98 Olympicproperties.gr profile]
*[http://www.stadia.gr/pankritio/pankritio.html Information and photos of Pankritio Stadium]

{{Ergotelis F.C.}}
{{2004 Summer Olympic venues}}
{{Olympic venues football}}

[[Category:Sports venues completed in 2003]]
[[Category:Sports venues in Crete]]
[[Category:Football venues in Greece]]
[[Category:Venues of the 2004 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Heraklion]]
[[Category:Multi-purpose stadiums in Greece]]
[[Category:Athletics venues in Greece]]