Foreigners Recommended Ada Huja, Authorities Illogically Chose Surčin Foreign consultants, who designed stadiums for the Qatar World Cup, recommended Ada Huja as the ideal location for Belgrade’s National Stadium, citing its urban integration and riverside attractiveness. However, Serbian authorities chose Surčin, despite the consultants’ warnings that it would be an underutilized and isolated venue, potentially costing over 1.2 billion euros. The decision is reportedly linked to the Expo project and lacks transparency, mirroring concerns raised about the Belgrade Metro project.

• Foreign consultants recommended Ada Huja over Surčin for the National Stadium due to its urban proximity, riverside appeal, and potential for revitalization.
• Consultants warned that the Surčin location could result in the stadium being empty 336 days a year and is not guaranteed to be visited, even with a nearby shopping mall.
• The choice of Surčin is suspected to be driven by financial-corruptive ties to the Expo, rather than sound planning or expert advice.
• The project is estimated to cost around 1.2 billion euros, including infrastructure, with concerns about a lack of transparency and justification for public funds.
• The situation is compared to the Belgrade Metro project, which also faced criticism for its location and escalating costs.