On the occasion of the UEFA European Football Championships in 2012, which Ukraine is staging jointly with Poland, the rebuilding of the Olympic Stadium for the final game has been realized.

The new design for the reconstruction of the stadium respects the historic fabric with its important filigree prestressed concrete upper tier built in 1968, the frame of the new roof structure being detached and placed clear of the existing bowl. This most distinctive feature is therefore being encased in a new filigree glass façade and will be duly illuminated with appropriate lighting. The plinth structure of 1948 arising from the location of the stadium on a slope at the West End also was rebuilt in a different guise during reconstruction. The geometry of the lower part of the stand was completely redesigned and updated in accordance with safety requirements. Particularly at the west end of the stadium, beneath the main stand, extensive premises were constructed for players, VIP guests and press representatives. After the conclusion of the European Football Championships in 2012, an athletics track will be inserted, enhancing the functionality of the stadium. When the glazed structure of the stadium is illuminated at night, it is an urban landmark in the cityscape of downtown Kiev. The interior of the stadium, with seats for around 68,000 people, gains an individual, unmistakable identity with a membrane roof structure incorporating air supports and domes of light.

The new stadium was inaugurated on 8th October 2011, the first international match after the opening was held between Ukraine and Germany on 11th November 2011.

Consultancy: 2008 Design: Volkwin Marg with Christian Hoffmann and Marek Nowak Project leader: Martin Bleckmann, Roman Hepp Cooperation with Personal Creative Architectural Bureau Y. Serjogin Structural concept and design, roof: schlaich bergermann und partner – Knut Göppert with Markus Balz and Thomas Moschner Structural engineering: Kempen Krause Ingenieurgesellschaft Technical equipment: b.i.g. Bechtold Ingenieurgesellschaft mbH Lighting design: Conceptlicht Client: National Sport Complex „Olympiysky“ Seats: 68,000 Construction period: 2009-2011

Hightex has built and installed the main roof radial cable system and the complete membrane roof system for the Ukraine Olympic Stadium. The new roof structure is part of the development of the stadium for the UEFA 2012 Euro Football Championships, at which the Kiev venue was set to host the final. 

The roof is a ring cable structure that is composed of two outer steel compression rings, an inner tension ring and upper and lower radial cables. The membrane is a PTFE/glass fabric with high light transmission, and the roof will be divided into 80 individual panels totaling an area of approximately 44,500 sqm. The final membrane form is achieved using a series of eight high points per panel, which are built using cables and flying masts. In total, there are 640 skylight cupolas, covered by a single-layer of ETFE foil with an overall area of 6,500 sqm.