Euro giants who beat Arsenal unveil plans for state-of-the-art new stadium with huge ‘wall’ to intimidate opponents

GREEK giants PAOK have released the concept visuals and plans for a new stadium in the heart of Thessaloniki.

The new modern ground design is shaped to create a ‘fan wall’ to improve atmosphere and intimidate opponents.

The stadium concept, designed by architecture company Populous, will raise the capacity to just under 42,000.

The stadium – which would replace the club’s current Toumba Stadium but keep its name – would sit on a ‘podium’ which will make it a landmark among its surroundings in the Greek city of Thessaloniki.

This podium will also be used to house multi-level plazas to provide public spaces on non-matchdays.

Populous’ concept announcement says: “At the heart of the precinct lies the PAOK Plaza — a civic square hosting the club museum, official store, cafes and bars, and serving as the symbolic ‘front door’ to the stadium.”

The design is also specifically geared towards amplifying the already infamous atmosphere of Greek football.

Populous’ announcement continued: “The seating arrangement is engineered to create a continuous ‘fan wall’, bringing spectators closer to the action with minimal tiers, enhancing both intimacy and acoustic resonance.”

English fans might be most familiar with PAOK for their Europa League giant killing of Arsenal in 1997.

PAOK beat Arsene Wenger’s Gunners 2-1 over two legs, including a 1-1 draw at Highbury in which an 87th minute equaliser from Zisis Vryzas sent the Greeks through.

They went on to be knocked out in the next round by Atletico Madrid in a chaotic tie that finish 6-9 on aggregate, including a second leg that ended 4-4 in Greece.

On home soil, PAOK are established title challengers, last winning the Super League in the 2023/24 season.

Now they will hope their new look stadium concept will mark them as a premier destination for players looking to prove themselves in Greek football.

There is no timeline yet for when the club will be able to bring this concept to life, but the visuals provide a glimpse into a potential near future for the Greek giants.