Every time the Kyiv region authorities report on the repair of the "Champion" stadium, the news sounds equally optimistic: dismantling, new surfaces, foundations, reinforced structures. But there is one detail that no press release mentions: the facility has been under construction for three years — and no one talks about an opening date anymore.
A Symbol That Became a Chronic Problem
In November 2022, "Champion" became the first UNITED24 project in the reconstruction direction. Andriy Shevchenko involved AC Milan, Shakhtar, Serie A, and Parimatch Ukraine — and by spring 2023, 600,000 euros had already been raised. It seemed like a technical matter: there was money, there was a destroyed stadium, there was will.
But the procurement was only conducted a year later — and on the fourth attempt. During this time, the initial need of 28 million hryvnias grew to 32 million, then to 44 million, and then to nearly 71 million hryvnias. As of summer 2025, according to Glavkom, another tender for additional work appeared on Prozorro, and the total cost is approaching three times the initial estimate.
"The reason is hidden damage discovered during reconstruction"
Acting Director of the Department of Regional Development of Kyiv Regional State Administration Oleh Kravchenko — in response to Glavkom's inquiry
What Has Actually Been Done
Progress exists — and it should not be minimized. According to the Department of Regional Development of Kyiv RSA, destroyed structures have been dismantled, electrical networks for lighting have been laid, and artificial field surfaces have been installed. Load-bearing columns of the stands have been reinforced and partially replaced. Currently, foundations for fencing and small sports fields are being constructed, and work continues to reinforce the structures under the stands. According to life.kyiv.ua's assessment, the stadium is approximately 40% restored.
In parallel — a separate contract: construction of a shelter on the stadium grounds for 67.74 million hryvnias, assigned to Irpin-based LLC "Smart Universal Group." The company's primary activity according to the state classifier — freight road transport. It joined public procurement only in summer 2024, but in just a few months received over a dozen contracts totaling more than 220 million hryvnias — all for regional reconstruction.
Where Is Shevchenko's Money?
A question that has hung publicly: in February 2025, Andriy Shevchenko confirmed at a UFU press conference that funds raised through UNITED24 had been transferred. But the general reconstruction budget has long exceeded that amount many times over — 83.28 million hryvnias from the Ministry of Infrastructure account was transferred to the regional budget only in the latest tranche. The Irpin Restoration Fund estimates full reconstruction at 239.9 million hryvnias on its own platform — nearly six times the original estimate.
Moreover, the first contractor — LLC "Tintoretto," which was supposed to complete the project by the end of 2024 — has been removed from the contract. A new contract was signed on June 11, 2025; completion deadline — end of 2025.
Third Year — Without a Finish Line
On July 2, 2025, the head of Kyiv Regional State Administration Mykola Kalashnyk announced a "new stage of reconstruction" — a standard formula used in 2023 and 2024. The fundamental difference: this time the authorities did not name a completion date at all. The official explanation — new hidden damage requires project adjustments.
Before the full-scale invasion, the stadium was visited daily by about 500 Irpin residents. The Real Madrid football school, rugby players, judokas trained here, championships among the diaspora were held. If the new contractor meets the deadline — which no previous one has — the city will get the arena by New Year's.
If another round of "hidden damage" and a fourth cost estimate appear — the question is no longer about the stadium, but whether Kyiv Regional State Administration has a mechanism to control contractors, or reconstruction of symbolic facilities has turned into an open credit line without accountability.
