Strahov turns 100: the 8th Sokol Slet marked the beginning of the world's largest stadium
In July 1926, Prague's Strahov witnessed an event that would leave a lasting mark on Czech and European sporting culture. The 8th Sokol Slet—the first major gathering held at the newly completed stadium—launched a century-long tradition of mass gymnastics displays and laid the foundations for what would become the largest stadium in the world. Built from 1925 onwards and gradually expanded until the 1980s, Strahov eventually reached a capacity of more than 240,000 spectators, making it a unique venue with no equal anywhere in the world.
When architect Ludvík Čížek completed the first version of Strahov Stadium in 1926, it was intended as a temporary yet ambitious structure. Even so, it successfully hosted the 8th Sokol Slet, attracting tens of thousands of participants and demonstrating that Strahov had the potential to become a venue for events of international significance. (Founded in the 19th century, the Sokol movement was not only a physical education organisation but also an important symbol of Czech national identity.)
Interwar Expansion: Strahov Becomes an Architectural Giant
In the early 1930s, the stadium underwent a major reconstruction designed by architect Alois Dryák. By 1932, the newly built presidential box welcomed President Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk, the founding president of Czechoslovakia, as he watched the 9th Sokol Slet.
By 1938, a monumental western grandstand and two six-storey towers had been added. The anniversary 10th Sokol Slet set a record that remains unmatched: more than 300,000 participants took part in the mass gymnastics performances on the stadium grounds.
Strahov During and After the War
The stadium became a witness to some of the most dramatic chapters of 20th-century history. In 1939, the Nazi occupation authorities staged a military parade there to mark Adolf Hitler's 50th birthday. After the Second World War, the stadium served as a gathering point for ethnic Germans awaiting their expulsion from Czechoslovakia.
The 1950s ushered in a new era. Strahov became the centre of the mass Spartakiads, huge gymnastics festivals organised by the communist regime as demonstrations of national unity and socialist strength. Although these events were deeply political, many participants also remember them as extraordinary sporting and social experiences.
The World's Largest Stadium
After the Second World War, the stadium continued to expand. During the 1960s, a new eastern grandstand was built in the so-called Brussels style, while university dormitories were constructed nearby. The final phase of construction continued until 1980. The result was a stadium unlike any other in the world:
- Capacity of more than 240,000 spectators, including around 50,000 seats.
- A central exercise area large enough to accommodate nine football pitches.
- The largest stadium in the world by area.
Strahov became a symbol of the Czech ability to organise mass events with remarkable precision, discipline and visual impact.
After 1989: From Mass Gymnastics to Rock Concerts
Following the fall of communism, Strahov entered a new chapter. In 1990, the stadium hosted The Rolling Stones, attracting around 110,000 fans in what was one of the largest concerts ever held in Europe at the time. In 1994, the 12th Sokol Slet returned to Strahov, this time in a democratic Czech Republic, with President Václav Havel in attendance.
Throughout the 1990s and the early years of the new millennium, Strahov continued to host major concerts and festivals. Today, the stadium serves primarily as the training centre of AC Sparta Prague.
