New training center

Sturm partner on board, but “construction site” remains

This is what Sturm's new training center in Puntigam could look like.

(Bild: Sturm Graz)

The commitments from the state and city have been in place for some time, and Sturm is now in final talks with a partner for the remaining financing of the new training center in Graz-Puntigam. But the bureaucratic mills grind slowly: construction work can only begin in the new year, with completion planned for 2026.

Sturm's training center is bursting at the seams! Which is why coach Jürgen Säumel's second division team has long since had to look for accommodation and now trains outside of Graz. As have the Bundesliga ladies, who have also found somewhere else to stay. Not a permanent solution. After a long struggle, the runners-up got the green light for financing: 4.8 million euros come from the state, the city covers 50 percent of the costs for the property (6.4 million). "We are now in final talks with a partner who will contribute the other 50 percent," explains Thomas Tebbich, Managing Director for Economic Affairs. The new gem with three squares will cost a total of 12.5 million euros. However, a lot of water will still be running down the Mur before the excavators finally start work.

"No white smoke"
Further talks with the state are due to take place soon, as this is a large subsidy after all. The subsequent submission phase alone will take around six months," says Sturm's "treasurer". If everything goes according to plan, construction work, which is scheduled to take a year, should begin in spring 2025. "Hopefully we can then move in in 2026," says Tebbich. The new gem will be home to the women's and academy teams. "Professionals and amateurs will remain at the old training ground," emphasizes Tebbich.

Sturm's managing director Thomas Tebbich

(Bild: Sepp Pail)

Sturm will (finally) have one construction site off the table, but another mega construction site remains: the tiresome stadium issue! The comeback of the sovereign second division leaders GAK to the Bundesliga is getting closer and closer. How long the two city rivals will have to share the stadium is still uncertain.

"The city actually said that a decision on the location of a possible second stadium would be made in April. So far, however, we haven't received an invitation to a summit in the town hall," says the Graz captain, who has little hope of any white smoke in this case, which is dragging on like chewing gum.