Crystal Palace continue their European journey with a trip to Poland, taking on Ukrainian league leaders Shakhtar Donetsk on Thursday evening (30th April, 20:00 BST) at the Henryk Reyman Municipal Stadium in Kraków.
While not Shakhtar’s traditional home, the venue provides a fitting stage for a historic European tie – combining deep-rooted Polish history with modern redevelopment and a reputation for a fierce atmosphere.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Henryk Reyman Municipal!
The stadium’s story dates back to 1953, when it first opened as the Municipal Stadium and became the home of Wisła Kraków, one of Poland’s most historic and recognisable clubs.
Wisła currently compete in the I liga, the second tier of Polish football following relegation from the top flight in 2021/22, but remain a club deeply embedded in the country’s football culture and identity.
The ground as it stands today is the result of a full transformation. Between 2004 and 2011, it was completely rebuilt in phases on the same historic site, becoming the fourth version of a stadium that has long been central to sport in Kraków.
The redevelopment was ambitious in scale and cost, with an estimated investment of around PLN 600 million – approximately £115–120 million – and, while it drew criticism at the time, it ultimately delivered a modern UEFA Category Four stadium, capable of hosting elite European fixtures.
In 2008, the stadium was renamed in honour of Henryk Reyman, one of Wisła Kraków’s most iconic figures and a legendary Polish footballer whose legacy continues to define the club’s – and in turn the stadiums – identity.
Henryk Tomasz Reyman remains one of the most significant figures in Wisła Kraków’s history.
He joined the club in 1910 at the urging of his older cousins and quickly progressed through the ranks, making his first-team debut in 1914. His early development was halted by the outbreak of the First World War, but his influence on the club would later become defining.
In 1918, Reyman played a key role in re-establishing Wisła Kraków following the war, helping to rebuild the club during a period of uncertainty.
By 1923, he had been named captain, a role he held until the end of his playing career. Under his leadership, Wisła enjoyed a golden era, winning the Polish Cup in 1926 and securing back-to-back Polish championships in 1927 and 1928.
The decision to rename the stadium in his honour in 2008 reflects his lasting legacy and importance to the club.
Today, the Henryk Reyman Municipal Stadium holds just over 33,000 spectators, making it one of the largest football venues in Poland.
Its design reflects the phased nature of its redevelopment, with single-tier stands positioned behind the goals and larger two-tiered structures running along the pitch, housing hospitality areas, offices and media facilities.
The result is a steep, enclosed stadium that generates a strong matchday atmosphere and has built a reputation as one of the most intense venues in Polish football.
While its architectural style has often been described as raw or brutalist, recent upgrades have modernised its appearance, most notably ahead of the 2023 European Games – a key qualification pathway to the 2024 summer Olympics in Paris – when a glass façade was introduced alongside major infrastructure improvements including roofing and internal systems.
The stadium is a UEFA Category Four venue and has hosted a wide range of major events, including football, rugby and international ceremonies. It played a central role during the 2023 European Games, staging both the opening and closing ceremonies as well as rugby sevens fixtures.
In recent years, it has also taken on added significance in European competition, with Shakhtar Donetsk using the stadium for their home fixtures in UEFA tournaments while continuing to compete away from their traditional base.
Since 2014, the club has played outside Donetsk, with its home stadium no longer available due to developments in eastern Ukraine. In the years since, Shakhtar have based themselves in a number of cities, including Lviv, Kharkiv and Kyiv, as they continue to fulfil their domestic and European fixtures.
Their use of the Henryk Reyman Stadium forms part of that wider arrangement, allowing the club to continue competing at the highest level of European football.
One of the stadium’s key advantages is its proximity to central Kraków, placing it within easy reach of one of Europe’s most visited and culturally rich cities. Kraków blends medieval architecture with a vibrant modern atmosphere, offering visitors a wide range of landmarks and experiences.
The Old Town and Main Market Square form the heart of the city, while Wawel Castle and Wawel Cathedral stand as enduring symbols of Polish history and royal heritage.
Nearby, St. Mary’s Basilica dominates the skyline, while the Cloth Hall reflects centuries of trade and commerce in the city centre.
More reflective sites such as Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory provide a powerful reminder of Kraków’s wartime history, while green spaces like Planty Park offer a quieter escape surrounding the Old Town.
Beyond the centre, attractions such as the Kraków Barbican and the Wieliczka Salt Mine – one of Europe’s oldest and most remarkable underground sites – add further depth to a city already rich in culture and history.
With its combination of architecture, history, food and atmosphere, Kraków provides a memorable backdrop for Palace’s European journey!
Shakhtar Donetsk v Crystal Palace
