Budapest’s iconic sports venue, the National Athletics Centre, has reached the final of one of the world’s most prestigious architectural competitions, the Architizer A+Awards, in two categories: Stadiums & Arenas and Sustainable Sports & Recreation Building. The Hungarian venue has therefore been ranked among the world’s five best projects in both categories, and it is now up to the public to decide whether it receives the Popular Choice Award.

The National Athletics Centre has achieved major international architectural recognition, with the international jury of the Architizer A+Awards selecting it as one of the world’s five best entries in two categories. This prestigious recognition provides further evidence that the venue of the highly successful 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest is not only significant in sporting history but also represents world-class architectural achievement.

bim.GROUP was responsible for preparing the technological and fabrication designs for the steel and cable structures, supporting the manufacturing, erection and surveying processes throughout construction, and coordinating the work of the specialist designers involved. Several other KÉSZ Group member companies and strategic partners also contributed to the project, including KÉSZ Metaltech Kft., KÉSZ Ipari Gyártó Kft., Baumetall Design Kft. and Geolink3D.

The international public vote opened when the project reached the final. Voting was available from 15:00 on Monday, 5 May 2025 until 09:00 on Saturday, 17 May 2025, Hungarian time. Casting a vote required quick, free registration or login on the Architizer website, after which users could vote once per day in both categories.

Please support the National Athletics Centre with your votes in both categories:

A Unique Crown for the Queen of Sports in Budapest

The National Athletics Centre was commissioned by the Hungarian State, designed by NAPUR Architect Kft.—with Ferencz Marcel DLA as lead architect—and constructed by the consortium of ZÁÉV Zrt. and Magyar Építő Zrt. Developed on a former industrial site, the project involved the complete rehabilitation of the area with sustainability as a central consideration.

With its unmistakable appearance symbolising a crown for athletics—the “Queen of Sports”—the building was completed for the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest with a capacity of 35,000 spectators. The event was a tremendous success and was described by Sebastian Coe, President of World Athletics, as “the greatest World Athletics Championships of all time”.

Following the championships, the stadium underwent a transformation unique anywhere in the world. Its temporary upper stands were removed and replaced by a covered, illuminated panoramic leisure park of almost 15,000 square metres. Open to everyone and free to use, the park includes a running track, outdoor training areas and spectacular views.

This transformation made the National Athletics Centre the world’s first “Open Arena”: a major sporting venue given new functions after an international event to support recreational sport and active lifestyles 365 days a year.

Sustainability was a key consideration throughout the venue’s design and operation. Only approximately 5–10% of the building’s floor area requires heating, while its energy supply is provided entirely by renewable geothermal energy. The development has also had a positive impact on the wider area by supporting the regeneration of the Danube riverfront and creating new promenades, cycle paths and green spaces, resulting in an attractive new recreational district.