"Nikos Goumas" Stadium

"Naos(Temple)"
Former names	Gipedo AEK (AEK's home ground)
Location	Nea Filadelfia, Athens, Greece
Broke ground	1928
Opened	1930
Closed	2003
Demolished	June 2003
Owner	Amateur AEK Athens
Operator	AEK Athens FC
Surface	Grass
Capacity	24,729 (with seats), 35,000 (without seats)
Field dimensions	101 x 78m
Tenants
AEK Athens, Greece

Nikos Goumas Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium in Nea Filadelfeia ("New Philadelphia"), a northwestern suburb of Athens, Greece. It was used mostly for football matches and was the home stadium of AEK Athens FC. It was named after a one-time club president, Nicholas Goumas, who contributed to its building and later upgrading. It was previously known as "Nea Filadelfeia Stadium" or simply "AEK Stadium".

The stadium's capacity was 24,729 as built in 1930. Until 1979 it had a horseshoe shape. It was then that the double-tiered south stand was built, making it the largest stadium in Athens at the time. This stand, and particularly its lower tier known as "Skepasti" ("roofed"), was the home of the AEK ultras. The capacity of the stadium was over 35,000 after construction of this new stand. In 1998, AEK Athens decided to install 27,729 seats, thereby reducing the stadium's capacity from 35,000 to 24,000 (not including the press and VIP stands). British heavy metal band Iron Maiden performed live in September 1988 during their 7th Tour Of A 7th Tour.

It was demolished in June 2003. The club's initial plan was to build a modern arena, complete with underground parking and an innovative underground basketball court. This ambitious plan was halted after various objections were raised. After AEK FC came under its current ownership, the plan was abandoned from the football club and negotiations are under way to build a new football stadium further to the north, on the southern foothills of Mount Parnitha. The land of the former Nikos Goumas stadium is still owned by the amateur AEK Athletic club. Plans for building a new stadium in the Nikos Goumas area still exist.

[edit] External links

• AEK Athens Official Site
• Stadium Information

Coordinates: 38°2′13.01″N 23°44′28.89″E / 38.0369472°N 23.7413583°E / 38.0369472; 23.7413583