OAKA Stadium

OAKA Stadium, in full Olympic Athletic Center of Athens "Spiros Louis", got built between 1980 and 1982, and opened on 8 September 1982 with the European Athletics Championships.

The ground was named after Spiros Louis, the Greek winner of the first Olympic marathon in 1896. Olympics

One year later, in 1983, OAKA Stadium was the venue for the European cup final between Hamburger SV and Juventus (1-0). In 1987, the ground was the venue for the Cup Winners' cup final between Ajax and Lokomotiv Leipzig (1-0).

In 1984, Panathinaikos moved into OAKA after their Leoforos Stadium had fallen into disrepair. AEK used the ground between 1985 and 1987, but then decided to move back to their Nea Filadelfeia.

In 1994, OAKA Stadium was the venue for their second European cup final, this time contested between AC Milan and Barcelona (4-0).

Panathinaikos moved back to the upgraded Leoforos in 2000, and soon after works started to redevelop OAKA Stadium for the 2004 Olympics. Its most striking new feature was the roof designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava.

Throughout the games, the ground staged, among others, the opening and closing ceremonies and the athletics events.

In 2007, OAKA Stadium was the venue for the Champions League final between AC Milan and Liverpool (2-1).

After the Olympics, both AEK and Panathinaikos had moved back into the ground as their own stadiums had again fallen into disrepair and failed to pass safety requirements.

Both clubs made plans to build new arenas, but plans long got stuck on a lack of funding. Panathinaikos did not manage to get a new arena project off the ground, but in 2014 did manage to patch up their Apostolos Nikolaidis Stadium sufficiently to move back in. The move only lasted five years though as in 2018 they moved back to OAKA.

AEK ultimately received approval for a new arena in 2018 and works on their new home, Agia Sofia Stadium, are at present ongoing with an expected completion date of 2021.

(images of the current OAKA Stadium below) Olympics

OAKA Stadium is part of the Olympic complex that is situated in the Maroussi area in the north of Athens, about 9 kilometres from Athens downtown area.

The ground is accessible by metro. Stations Irini and Neratziotissa on line M1 lie at close distance from the Olympic complex. Line M1 runs straight through Athens downtown area.

Address: 37 Kifissias Ave. And Spirou Loui, Maroussi, Athens

The area around the Olympic complex is mainly residential, though right next to the ground lies the luxurious Golden Hall shopping mall. A bit farther toward the north, close to the Neratziotissa metro stop, lies The Mall Athens shopping centre, which offers significantly more in terms of dining and drinks, as well as a cinema. Olympics

You may find the odd café or restaurant in the adjacent neighbourhoods, but otherwise you may want to focus on Athens' downtown area for dining and drinks. The downtown area is also where most of Athens' nightlife is, though part of it moves to the southern beaches (e.g. Glifada) for the summer.

If you wish to stay close to the ground, Several hotels around. The Civitel Olympic and Athens Habitat are located close to the Golden Hall, but do not come cheap. The Olympic Hotel is situated slightly further away, but is somewhat more affordable. The Civitel Attik is another option. This venue lies north of the ground close to the Mall.

Use the linked guides To browse hotels near OAKA Stadium. If you plan to spend more time in Athens, then staying in the downtown area is likely a better idea. Use the linked guides for the options, which are generally quite a bit cheaper than close to the ground.

Admission for AEK matches are sold online, by phone +30 801 100 2121, at the Ticket Office at OAKA Stadium, or at one of the club's two Fan Shops, which both lie in the suburbs far out of the centre.

Tickets can also be purchased on the gate on the day of the match.

Ticket prices usually start at €10.00 for a seat behind the goal. Admission for the long sides cost either €15.00 or €40.00, and VIP seats go for €100.00.