Interesting facts

The number of spectators in the old stadium has never been pointed exactly, i.e. the measurements were approximate and rough – sold tickets, occupied and vacant sets, etc.

Cameras that are part of the security system can trace and focus even a seat number or dialed number on a mobile phone in all sectors with no exception. These technical and security facilities aimed the spectators’ and players’ safety.  

The team that works in Vassil Levski National Stadium respects it and does not tolerate the fan fights. It maintains communication with all fan clubs in the country.

Till the site got ready everybody worked on three shifts to open the door to the Bulgaria – Croatia match.

The greatest number of spectators

Bulgaria – Croatia, October 12, 2002, Friday, the first match for the EURO 2004 qualifications. Though the reconstruction of the whole stadium has not been completed, only the football part of the stadium (the so called cup) and the dressing rooms, the spectators went beyond the stipulated seats.

Levski – Liverpool, March 3, 2004, third circle of the UEFA cup tournament, second meeting, 42 281 spectators.

Bulgaria – Sweden, March 26, 2005, Saturday, World qualification from Group 8. There were 40 000 fans of the Bulgarian team and about 500 fans of the supporters of the rival who had been seated between the sector A and sector G. The President of the Bulgarian Republic Georgi Parvanov and the Prime-Minister Simeon Sax Coburg Gotha were on the tribunes of Vassil Levski National Stadium. Michael Platini was also there invited by the coach of the national team Hristo Stoichkov. The tribunes of Vassil Levski National Stadium were in the colours of the Bulgarian national flag.

The most numerous security teams for such sites – about 1200 Sofia Directorate of Interior policemen, also teams of Sofia Traffic Police – KAT and Sigma motorized group.

The happiest Bulgarians – in the summer of 1994 at Vassil Levski National Stadium welcoming the Bulgarian football players who reached fourth place in the World Football Championship in the USA.

Two world records in 1961 are the most memorable achievements in the history of Vassil Levski National Stadium in front of the overcrowded tribunes – the first is of Valeriy Brumel at high jump (2.25m) and of Tamara Press at discus-throwing (58.06m).

Charity

The greatest grant has been gathered on 21st September 2003 – International Day of Peace.

The Ministry of Youth and Sport is the chief sponsor of a football match at Vassil Levski National Stadium between diplomats, politicians, football players from the national team and actors, musicians and public figures. Gathered grants have been used to support the development of the child-youth sport in Bulgaria. Famous figures as gen. Boiko Borisov, Emil Kostadinov, Peter Popangelov and others played under the leading of Dimitar Penev. The match was in memory of Anna Lind, the perished foreign minister of Sweden.

April 25, 2005. It was a day of open doors at Vassil Levski National Stadium. It was the most mass sport fair from the time the stadium had been reconstructed.

The employee with the longest length of service at Vassil Levski National Stadium is Michael Ivanov. He had begun work there when he was 16 years old. In May 11, 2005 old man Misho celebrated his 60th anniversary.

Worldwide famous stars

Lepa Brena in Bulgaria in 1990 and her grand tour when she appeared at the crammed stadium Vassil Levski with the helicopter of Todor Jivkov. 80 000 tickets had been sold (with ticket price 20 German Marks in that time). Organizer of the concert is Music Direction – Kyustendil. The spectators had crammed even the tunnels of the entrances.

Guest stars like Scorpions, Bonny M, Paul Young, Technotronic, Sandra and others appeared in front of crammed tribunes.

Vassil Levski National Stadium is suitable for organization of stars of such rang participations on condition that all safety norms around the building of the facilities and the constructions are kept.