“A symbolic building of Budapest has been reborn”

by anthony_capkun_2 | 29 July 2026 9:50 am

[1]

In 1953, Hungary opened the “People’s Stadium”—a 100,000-capacity venue that hosted national soccer great Ferenc Puskas and his teammates, who together formed “The Magical Magyars.”

By the turn of the century, the old concrete bowl was crumbling. In 2016, demolition of the old structure began.

But the city did not want to see the past erased, so architect Gyorgy Skardelli chose to “reincarnate” the old stadium in the creation of the new Puskas Arena. Crushed concrete from the old Népstadion was used in the foundations, and the large concrete pylons on the exterior were designed to mirror the “staircase towers” of the 1953 original.

“A symbolic building of Budapest has been reborn,” writes Kotzi Architects.

Particularly noteworthy are the areas of the facade between the portals and pylons, which consist of stainless steel structures finished with wire mesh that follow the curve of the stadium.

Consisting of 229 panels measuring about 13 x 95 feet and weighing almost 220 lb—and a total surface area of around 209,900 sf—these mesh curtains provide natural ventilation while reducing solar exposure, contributing to improved thermal comfort within the stadium. Their open structure allows airflow while maintaining a consistent external appearance across the stadium envelope.

On match days, the entire building glows in Hungary’s national colors. For concerts, the lighting can be customized to match the stage show, turning the stadium itself into a giant light installation.

Additional reading

• Puskas Arena Guide, 2026, budapeststadium.com[2]
• Puskas Arena, Kotzi Architects, kozti.hu[3]
• Puskas Museum, puskasferencmuzeum.hu[4]

---

This Project Snapshot originally appeared in the July 2026 edition of Metal Construction News, which you can find in our Digital Edition Archive.

Source URL: https://www.metalconstructionnews.com/projects/a-symbolic-building-of-budapest-has-been-reborn/

---