PAS deputy proposes amending the Budget Law: 12 million lei allocated for the National Arena feasibility study
An amendment to the 2026 Budget Law was submitted by MP and former footballer Maxim Potîrniche, requesting the allocation of 12 million lei for the feasibility study of the future National Arena of the Republic of Moldova.
According to the Member of Parliament from the Action and Solidarity Party (PAS), a feasibility study is a mandatory and essential step in the construction process of the future national stadium.
The MP highlighted that the need for this investment is backed by a pre-feasibility study conducted in April 2024, which underscored the strategic, economic, and social significance of building a modern national stadium.
However, without a completed feasibility study, the Republic of Moldova will be unable to secure external funding from specialized organizations or private investors, nor will it be able to initiate procurement procedures.
Maxim Potîrniche pointed out that Moldova is currently the only country in Europe lacking a multifunctional arena of international standards. Additionally, the existing stadiums are only approved for high-ranking competitions on exceptional occasions.
Due to the absence of a category IV stadium, Moldova is excluded from hosting major sports events, resulting in missed revenue opportunities. The MP stated, “Every missed international event means lost accommodation nights for hotels, untapped local consumption, transport, restaurants, goods and services, and uncollected tax revenues. Furthermore, there is a social impact—affecting health, cohesion, and behavioral models for children.”
In his view, the National Arena should be regarded as a multifunctional economic asset that can stimulate urban development, attract private investment, and create jobs. He explained, “A stadium can stimulate related private investments, such as hotels, retail, services, and theme parks. It generates direct and indirect jobs in operations, security, maintenance, event management, auxiliary staff, and volunteering. A stadium also enhances the capital’s appeal for event tourism, sports tourism, and cultural tourism.”
The parliamentarian stressed the urgency of allocating funds for the feasibility study by amending the Budget Law for the upcoming year.
We remind you that in June 2024, authorities announced plans for a national stadium in Moldova built to the standards of the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA). According to the pre-feasibility study, the estimated investment required for the project is approximately 85 million euros.
The new stadium is planned to have a capacity of 20,000 to 25,000 seats, a continuous roof to protect all seats, and between 1,500 and 1,800 parking spaces. The total area will cover 18,000 square meters on the ground and 10,000 square meters indoors.
Five locations were considered for the stadium’s construction, with the site in Stauceni, near the Arena Chisinau complex, being deemed the most suitable. The final decision will be based on the outcomes of the feasibility study.
On December 12, the Parliament voted on the draft State Budget Law for 2026 in its first reading. Government representatives described the next year's budget as one of “responsible investments.”
