Nea Smyrni Stadium - Panionios Stadium Guide

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By Football Tripper
Last Updated: July 18, 2021

Nea Smyrni Stadium Pitch

Nea Smyrni Stadium is the home ground of Greek Superleague side Panionios G.S.S. First opened in 1939, today’s capacity of 11,700 has been achieved by two renovations in 2001 and 2003 with the conversion to full seating occurring in 1998 when the home side participated in the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup.

Panionios Stadium Guide

Stadium Facts

Overview
Team:Panionios
Opened:1939
Capacity:11,700
Address: Chrisostomou, Nea Smirni, Greater Athens, 171 22

Nea Smyrni Stadium History

Nea Smyrni Stadium first opened in 1939, and today has a capacity of 11,700 after undergoing numerous renovations. Before conversion to all-seating in the 1990s, the stadium’s capacity peaked at around 20,000 with a 1974 match between Panionios FC and Panathinaikos FC which was attended by 20,950 supporters.

Named after the suburb of Athens it resides within, Nea Smyrni took approximately 1 year to construct, and the opening coincided with the 50th anniversary of Panioniois G.S.S. The sports club which the football team belongs to first formed in 1890 as “Orpheus Smyrni”.

Between 2001 and 2003, a modest program of modernisation has occurred. These include the refurbishment of matchday facilities for supporters such as the cafeteria, club shop, press area, and the installation of a roof across the east stand. In line with other stadiums across Greece, electronic turnstile system was installed in 2009 to speed up access into the stadium.

The highest level of football held at Nea Smyrni to date has arguably been the group stages of the UEFA Cup. During the 2004/2005 season, Panionios defeated Udinese in the play-offs to enter a group containing Newcastle United, Sporting CP, Dinamo Tbilisi and Sochaux. Some fans however may point to the quarter final loss against SS Lazio in the 1998 Cup Winners Cup as the greatest European Achievement.

As for the future of Nea Smyrni Stadium, it appears as if given the choice Panionios would leave. The club revealed plans for a new state-of-the-art 12,000 capacity sports venue in 2010, however the state of the Greek economy has proven to be a huge obstacle. Expected to cost €60 million euros, it is currently seen as a very risky investment, and thus is unlikely to occur any time soon.

Panionios GSS supporters inside the stadium

View of Nea Smyrni Stadium

Matchday Experience

Nea Smyrni Stadium Away Section

Away fans are usually housed within the south stand which is the curva behind the goal on Themistokli Sofouli. Visiting supproters can access this section of the ground through gate 9.

Panionios Club Shop

Exterior of Nea Smyrni Stadium

Panionios Club Shop

You can purchase a small amount of merchandise from the various stalls outside the ground on matchdays however the range is quite limited. Unfortunately the online store of Panionios G.S.S appears to be indefinitely closed so it’s impossible to browse the range of official merchandise.

Can you take a stadium Tour?

It doesn’t appear as if either Panionios G.S.S or the local sports department offer guided tours of Nea Smyrni. We doubt this will ever change, so you’re best bet to see the stadium is to simply attend a match.

How to buy Panionios Tickets

Although the official website suggests that you can purchase match tickets online since around 2014 (when the page was last updated), it doesn’t appear to be the case any more.

This means that you should purchase your tickets on match-day before kick-off from the various ticket booths at the ground. Don’t expect to pay much more than €15.00 for a seat in the main stand.

How to get to Nea Smyrni Stadium

Where is Nea Smyrni Stadium?

Panionios G.S.S is named and located within the Athenian suburb of Nea Smyrni which is located approximately 5.7 km south-west of Athens historical city centre.


Driving

The stadium’s address for satnav is as follows:

  • Chrisostomou, Nea Smirni 171 22, Greece

Car Parks

You won’t find any on-site parking at Nea Smirni Stadium due to the dense urban location.

Airports and Flying

Greek’s capital city and cradle of civilisation is served by Athens International Airport which is situated just under 30km from the city centre. Upon landing you can travel into Athens via the metro and overground train services.

Hotels Near Nea Smyrni Stadium

Back on the Leof. Andrea Siggrou main road less than 10 minutes west of the ground you will find numerous accommodation options including three no frills choices in Hotel Lakoba, Hotel Medousa and Hotle Nestorion.

Further back towards the historic centre of Athens there are of course plenty of places to stay at a slightly higher cost including a Radisson Blu, InterContinental Athenaeum and the MetropolitanHotel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who plays at Nea Smyrni Stadium?

Greek side Panionios play their home matches at Nea Smyrni Stadium.

What is the capacity of Nea Smyrni Stadium?

As of 2024 Nea Smyrni Stadium has an official seating capacity of 11,700 for Football matches.

When was Nea Smyrni Stadium opened?

Nea Smyrni Stadium officially opened in 1939 and is home to Panionios

What is the postcode for Nea Smyrni Stadium?

The postcode for Nea Smyrni Stadium is 171 22.

Are there any Covid restrictions at the stadium?

Covid Restrictions may be in place when you visit Nea Smyrni Stadium in 2024. Please visit the official website of Panionios for full information on changes due to the Coronavirus.

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