The Public Procurement Department of the Treasury has published requirements for investors interested in obtaining a long-term concession and modernizing the “Stelios Kyriakides” Stadium in Paphos. The project involves granting usage rights for a period of 30 years. The winner will be selected through a competitive procedure followed by negotiations.
Main Obligations of the Future Investor
According to the documents published on the eProcurement platform, the contractor is required to upgrade the sports facility to at least UEFA Category III and build two training fields on a plot that will be designated in advance by the Municipality of Geroskipou. It is additionally noted that the existing indoor arena “Aphrodite,” located next to the stadium and built between 1980–1982, is not included in the current concession. However, the future operator must ensure access to parking for the arena, as both facilities share a common parking area.
Potential Contract Extension
The contracting authority reserves the right to initiate negotiations for extending the cooperation under new terms no later than five years before the contract’s expiration. The preliminary cost of the project is estimated at around €30 million excluding VAT. The tender will take place in two stages: first, prequalification of applicants; second, submission of proposals and negotiations with the candidates who meet the requirements.
Submission Deadlines and Requests for Clarifications
The final deadline for submitting applications is May 4, 2026. Documents will be accepted exclusively electronically through the electronic public procurement system. Investors may submit requests for clarification of the tender conditions until April 17, 2026.
Additional Details and Future Development of the Area
The documents also state that the common parking area facing Michail Savva Avenue previously housed the Citizen Service Center of the Paphos Municipality. The office has since been relocated, and the plot has been temporarily excluded from the concession agreement. If the property is later returned to the Cyprus Sports Organization (KOA), it may be handed over to the contractor.
Given the active development of sports infrastructure in Cyprus and the growing interest from foreign investors, the modernization of the “Stelios Kyriakides” Stadium is considered one of the region’s most significant projects. In the coming years, Paphos is expected to undergo substantial upgrades to its sports facilities, which could support hosting international tournaments and stimulate the city's economic development.
History of the Stadium
The “Stelios Kyriakides” Stadium (Στάδιο Στέλιος Κυριακίδης) is a multi-purpose sports facility named after the marathon runner. Until May 25, 2017, it was known as “Pafiako.” The stadium has a capacity of 9,394 spectators. It features running tracks surrounding a field used for football and rugby matches and hosts various sporting events throughout the year. It is one of the most popular stadiums in Cyprus due to its favorable location.
The stadium serves as the home ground for the football clubs AEP Paphos and AEK Kouklia, the latter having begun playing at Pafiako after its promotion to the First Division. It was also used by APOP Kinyras when the club competed in the First Division during the 2005/2006 season. In 1992, three matches of the UEFA European Under-17 Championship held in Cyprus were played at the stadium. It also hosts various musical concerts.
In 2007, the stadium hosted its first match of the Cyprus national rugby team, which faced Azerbaijan. In 2010, Pafiako became the official stadium of the national rugby team.