Gdansk A Year After Euro 2012

On June 10th, 2012 the first match of the European Football Championships Euro 2012 took place. Where is Gdańsk a year after the event? Though authorities point to great emotions, investments and lots of experience, they also admit the effect could have been better.

"The majority of us have no doubts that the championships were worth organising. And it's not only about emotions" said Paweł Adamowicz, the mayor of Gdańsk at a press conference organized at the PGE Arena Stadium a year after Euro 2012.

"As a city, we have practically learned in practice that in the 21st century sports is a powerful promotion tool. Average size countries, still “making one’s way” such as Poland need to seize chances that fall in their hands, and Euro was just a chance like that" said the mayor, pointing to new roads that Gdańsk gained as tangible proof of success.

Adamowicz admitted, however, that the overall effect of Euro 2012 in Gdańsk does not include swarms of tourists, who were expected after Gdańsk has been widely promoted during the championships. The increase was only by a few percent, compared to the previous year.

"We may call it bad luck that Euro 2012 took place in such a difficult time for Europe, during the economic downturn, when many Europeans were loosing jobs. If in 2012 Europe were in in a better condition, the effects of Euro would be more visible" said mayor Adamowicz.

Also the promised and expected foreign investmets are not visible. "Such effects can't be expected year after year, but in a time span of five to seven years" added Andrzej Bojanowski, the vice-mayor of Gdańsk.

Euro in numbers:
708,7 mln zl - the total cost of building the stadium in Gdańsk 
160 000 - the total number of tourists in Gdańsk during Euro
244 mln zl - the total amount spent by foreign tourists during Euro in Gdańsk 
360 - number of planes flying in to Gdańsk with regard to Euro between June 4th and 24th, 2012.
5,8 mln zl - the income from the Fan Zone 
298 mln zl - the total amount spent by the tournament's guests.

Gdańsk is still to pay back the loan taken to build the stadium - ca. 40 million zlotys for 12 years.