England's upcoming match against the Czech Republic in Prague will take place at the Fortuna Arena, a modest venue with a capacity of just under 20,000, located just miles from the Great Strahov Stadium — a decaying relic that once held 250,000 spectators.
The Great Strahov Stadium, built in 1926, overlooks the city's old town and was first used for mass synchronised gymnastics displays. Over the years, it was repurposed for various events, and at its peak, it could accommodate a quarter of a million people for public gatherings.
A Venue Reclaimed by Nature
While its sitting capacity for sports like football was around 56,000 — still far superior to the Fortuna Arena — the stands have been left to rot and reclaimed by nature. The ground has not hosted competitive sport since 2019.
Despite its decay, the stadium remains in use. It has served as a training base for Sparta Prague in recent years, with West Ham visiting ahead of their 2023 Europa Conference League triumph. Its vast playing area can accommodate eight full-size football pitches plus a couple of futsal pitches.
Future of the Stadium
The complex is owned by the City of Prague, which may be weighing options for the vast area. Some traditionalists hope it will remain associated with sport and be transformed into a modern venue, while others see it as prime real estate.
For now, England manager Thomas Tuchel is focused on the match, aiming to avoid a post-World Cup hangover after Saturday's 3-2 defeat to Spain at Wembley. While there were positives from that loss, the defence was a concern.
Tuchel's Take on the Clash
Tuchel acknowledged the defeat to Spain "puts a bit of pressure" on England but said it is "nothing we can't handle" ahead of facing the side ranked 49th in the world. He added: "It's a bit early for a 'must win', a bit early in the group for a 'must win'. We always arrive at every match, preparing the team with a target to win."
"If you play in Prague against Czechia, it will be difficult, it will be emotional, with the support for home team being what it is," he said. "Like I said, we always prepare for a win, we want the win, but in the [context] of the group, knowing where we want to go, it’s too early to speak of a 'must win'. It would be ideal, but the problem is the opposition on the other side."
