Zagreb Hippodrome
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Zagrebački Hipodrom | |
 Zagreb Hippodrome from Liberty Bridge, Zagreb | |
 Interactive map of Hippodrome Zagreb | |
| Location | Kajzerica, Novi Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 45°47′07″N 15°58′18″E / 45.785263°N 15.971682°E |
| Owner | City of Zagreb |
| Events | Horseracing and concerts |
| Field shape | Flat and harness |
| Acreage | 47 hectares |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 1950 |
| Website | |
| https://www.sportskiobjekti.hr/hipodrom-zagreb-1373/1373 | |
Zagreb Hippodrome (Croatian: Zagrebački hipodrom) is a horse racing venue in Zagreb, Croatia. It was built from 1947 to 1950, with a design based on the Longchamp Racecourse in Paris. It is located in the neighbourhood of Kajzerica, on the southern bank of the Sava river, near the Bundek lake.[1] The venue covers an area of 47 hectares (120 acres).[2] It was originally built with three racetracks, having lengths of 1,000 metres (3,300 ft), 1,600 m (5,200 ft), and 2,400 m (7,900 ft), but the longest track was removed to make space for an indoor riding hall after the 1987 Summer Universiade. A space for steeplechase races is located in the inside area of the smallest track.[1]
Zagreb Hippodrome has been managed by the Zagreb Equestrian Club (Konjički klub Zagreb) since 1952.[1] The most important event at the Hippodrome is the yearly International June Tournament (Lipanjski turnir), which has been held since 1955.[3][4] The venue has been criticised for bad management and track maintenance, and small horse stalls which do not satisfy today's health and safety requirements.[2] The stables hold around 160 horses.[5]
The street where the venue is located was renamed in honour of Radoslav Cimerman, a Croatian horse riding champion who fell from his horse and died in 1974 while training at the Zagreb Hippodrome.[6] In 1994, Pope John Paul II celebrated a mass at the Hippodrome, which was attended by a million people. Pope Benedict XVI also celebrated a mass at the Hippodrome in 2011.[7][8]
The Hippodrome is also used as a concert venue, hosting The Rolling Stones, The Red Hot Chili Peppers,[9] Metallica,[10] and Ed Sheeran.[11] The hippodrome also hosted the biggest ticketed single-night concert in history, headlined by Marko "Thompson" Perković.[12][13]
| Date | Artist | Tour | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 August 1998 | The Rolling Stones | Bridges to Babylon Tour | 76,000 |
| 16 May 2010 | Metallica | World Magnetic Tour | 30,000 |
| 29 August 2012 | The Red Hot Chili Peppers | I'm with You World Tour | 35,000 |
| 10 August 2024 | Ed Sheeran | +–=÷× Tour | 70,000 |
| 5 July 2025 | Marko "Thompson" Perković | Hodočasnik Tour | 504,000 |
