Arena Națională management sparks dispute between Bucharest Mayor and LPF

Tensions have risen between the Bucharest City Hall and the Professional Football League (LPF) regarding the scheduling and management of the Arena Națională, Romania’s largest stadium.

LPF President Gino Iorgulescu recently submitted a competition calendar for the upcoming year to the Mayor of Bucharest, requesting that the stadium not be blocked by non-sporting events during match periods. In response, Mayor Ciprian Ciucu reacted ironically, stating, ‘It is good that the LPF is giving me homework,’ while suggesting the league should perhaps involve itself more in other matters.

Ciucu emphasized that football remains a priority for the stadium and criticized the LPF’s reaction as disproportionate, noting that the stadium was unavailable for football only for a single period due to other events. He acknowledged that the City Hall has invested significant funds into the Arena Națională and expressed a desire to see higher spectator numbers. Discussions regarding improved stadium administration are expected to follow.

The scheduling conflicts recently forced high-profile matches, such as the Dinamo vs. FCSB derby, to be played at the much smaller Arcul de Triumf stadium, which holds only 8,207 spectators. Football is scheduled to return to the Arena Națională for the FCSB vs. Petrolul match.