The first phase of The Ellinikon Sports Park will open to the public on July 20, marking the start of operations of the sports facilities within the landmark redevelopment project at the former Athens airport site.
Lamda Development estimates that the park will welcome around 200,000 to 300,000 visitors by the end of the year, with attendance expected to rise to approximately 1 million in 2027. Once all development phases are completed, annual visits are projected to reach 5 million.
Lamda Development said it has invested around 100 million euros in the first phase of the Sports Park, including core infrastructure such as roads. An additional 20 million has been allocated to upgrade existing sports facilities across the wider Athens metropolitan area.
Presenting the sports park to the media, Dimitris Karastogiannis, Lamda Development’s Chief Property and Community Management Officer, said the goal is for the facility to operate as a multifunctional destination combining sports, wellness, recreation and events.
Several facilities will operate in cooperation with sports federations and clubs that will manage them, he said. A key example is the athletics track, which will be managed by the relevant federation. At the same time, parts of the facilities will be available to the general public, including free-play basketball and tennis courts that can be booked electronically through the park’s dedicated application.
The park covers an area of 287,000 square metres, including around 115,000 square metres of open green space, and forms part of The Ellinikon Metropolitan Park.
Facilities opening on July 20
The first phase includes an international-standard outdoor athletics track with 1,070 spectator seats, a throwing track, four 11-a-side football pitches (two with FIFA Quality Pro-certified artificial turf and two with hybrid turf), two basketball courts, two tennis courts, outdoor sports and green areas, and an athletes’ accommodation building with 124 rooms.
The park will also feature pedestrian paths and cycling routes, four food and beverage outlets, 1,350 parking spaces, children’s recreation areas and event venues.
By the end of 2026, an Olympic-size 50-metre swimming pool is scheduled to become operational. The pool will feature a movable floor system with an air barrier, allowing it to serve different uses simultaneously. Two additional 5-a-side football pitches are planned for early 2027.
According to Lamda Development, the athletics track will receive World Athletics Type 1 certification, while the two artificial-turf football pitches will carry the highest FIFA Quality Pro certification, currently held by only a limited number of sports facilities in Greece.
Second phase scheduled for 2028
The second development phase of The Ellinikon Sports Park, scheduled for completion in 2028, will significantly expand sports and leisure infrastructure, with the aim of creating a comprehensive destination for professional athletes, amateurs and visitors.
The racket sports facilities will include 18 tennis courts — clay and hard-surface, indoor and outdoor — 10 padel courts and two pickleball courts. The complex will also feature a Club House and tennis academy offering high-performance programmes in cooperation with an internationally recognised organisation.
The second phase will also include indoor basketball facilities for training, competitions and academies, four beach volleyball courts, and a fully integrated wellness centre with a spa, massage treatments, yoga, mindfulness sessions, sound therapy and holistic wellness programmes. The centre will also include healthy dining services and co-working spaces, expanding the Sports Park’s role beyond athletic activities.
Particular emphasis will be placed on hosting sports teams and delegations. The 124-room accommodation facility, offering around 250 beds, will be able to host teams, federations and professional athletes, with the aim of positioning Ellinikon as a training destination for teams from Greece and abroad.
Beyond its sporting role, the complex is designed to host major athletic, cultural, entertainment and corporate events. Facilities include the Sports Piazza, with capacity for 3,000 to 5,000 people, the Spiral Venue, accommodating up to 10,000 people, as well as the athletics track, which can host events for up to 7,000 spectators or 1,070 seated guests in permanent stands.
Selected parking areas will also be available for special events, including food festivals and other outdoor activities.
The operation of the Sports Park will rely on advanced digital infrastructure. Alongside online booking capabilities, the facility will use Building Management Systems (BMS), smart lighting and access-control systems aimed at optimising operations, reducing energy consumption and enhancing security.
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