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  • Writer's pictureDamian Brzeski

Lechia Gdańsk and Gedania, the most important football teams in Gdańsk

Welcome to Gdańsk, a city that beats with the rhythm of football passion, where history is permeated by the spirit of sports competition. Here, on the Baltic Sea, football is more than just a game; is a story about pride, tradition and community. Gdańsk, the pearl of the North, has long been home to two legendary clubs: Lechia Gdańsk and Gedania. These teams, deeply rooted in the hearts of residents, are not only a testimony to sports emotions, but also an important element of local history and culture.


Lechia Gdańsk, with its colors and brave spirit, not only won the hearts of fans, but also goes down in gold in the annals of Polish football. Its history, full of victories and challenges, is inextricably linked with the history of the city itself. In turn, Gedania, although perhaps less known outside the region, played a key role in shaping the football landscape of Gdańsk, being a symbol of the local community and its spirit.


In Gdańsk, each match is not only a sporting event, but also a city celebration, connecting generations. Here, in the stands, grandparents who remember legendary matches, parents who pass on their passion to their children, and young people for whom football is the language of modern times meet. These clubs are not just sports - they are the history and pride of Gdańsk, and their rivalry is a story of brotherhood and rivalry that goes beyond the pitch.


Forget about everyday life for a moment and let yourself be carried away by stories about Gdańsk football. Get to know Lechia Gdańsk and Gedania - two clubs that are the heart and soul of this city. Whether you are a die-hard football fan or simply a tourist curious about the local culture, this article will take you on a journey through the green fields of Gdańsk, telling a story of passion, pride and community.



Lechi Gdańsk shirt with the number 12 symbolizing the twelfth player

BKS Lechia Gdańsk


Lechia Gdańsk, a club born from the ashes of post-war chaos in 1945, quickly became a symbol of hope and rebirth for the city's inhabitants.


From humble beginnings on local pitches, over the years Lechia has transformed into one of the most recognizable clubs in Polish football. Each match is not only a sports event, but also a celebration that unites the entire community of Gdańsk. Historic victories, winning domestic cups and international successes are just some of the achievements that have contributed to Lechia's legend.


However, the real strength of this club lies not only in its sporting achievements, but also in its deep bond with the inhabitants of Gdańsk. Lechia is more than a football team; it is part of the city's identity, culture and spirit. Lechia fans, known for their unwavering loyalty and passion, create a unique atmosphere at the stadium that infects everyone who experiences a match live at least once.


The sports club plays a significant role not only on the pitch, but also in the local community. By engaging in charitable and educational activities, Lechia contributes to the development of Gdańsk, supporting young people and various social groups. In this way, the club constantly builds bridges between generations, creating a space where sport becomes a tool for social integration.


For tourists who visit Gdańsk, the Lechia match is a unique attraction. This is a chance to immerse yourself in the authentic atmosphere of the city, feel its pulse and become part of the exciting world of Gdańsk football. Even if football is not your first love, the experience will allow you to understand and appreciate the local culture on a whole new level.


Lechia Gdańsk, with its rich history and vibrant present, is undoubtedly one of the brightest jewels in the crown of Gdańsk. It is a club that not only enriches the sports landscape of Poland, but also plays a key role in creating the identity of one of the most beautiful cities in the country. Each match is not only another chapter in the club's history, but also a celebration of the community spirit that is so characteristic of Gdańsk and its inhabitants.


Flag of the Lechia Gdańsk sports club

How was the Lechia Gdańsk football club founded?


Lechia Gdańsk, one of the most recognizable football teams in Poland, has its roots in post-war Gdańsk. The club was established in August 1945 as the Sports Club of the Port Reconstruction Office on the initiative of Władysław Szedrowicz, director of the Port Reconstruction Office, and people associated with the Gdańsk University of Technology.


At the beginning of its existence, the club was called Baltia, and later - in accordance with the authorities' order - Budowlani, to finally adopt the name Lechia, referring to the pre-war club in Lviv.


First years and successes


Lechia Gdańsk quickly became a force in local football, rivaling Gedania Gdańsk. In 1947-1948, the team fought for promotion to the top league, which they achieved at the second attempt. The first season in the top league was not successful, but in the 1950s, under the leadership of coach Tadeusz Foryś, Lechia became one of the leading teams in the country, achieving. third place in the Ekstraklasa in 1956 and the final of the Polish Cup in 1955. The club's juniors won the Polish championship in 1957.


Difficult times and returns to the top league


The 1960s and 1970s brought changing fortunes for Lechia, including relegation to the lower leagues and returns to the top league. In 1983, under the leadership of coaches Jastrzębowski and Gładysz, Lechia won the Polish Cup and the Polish Super Cup, advancing to the second league and later to the top league. The club then participated in the Cup Winners' Cup, facing Juventus Turin.


The new face of Lechia in the 1990s


In the 1990s and early 2000s, Lechia went through a period of mergers and struggles in the lower leagues. In 2005, the club began its return to the top league, advancing from A-Class to the second league. In the 2007/08 season, Lechia won the second league, advancing to the top league.


Contemporary achievements


The latest chapter of the club's history includes successes under the leadership of coach Piotr Stokowiec, including the bronze medal of the Polish Championships, the Polish Cup and the Polish Super Cup in the 2018/19 season. The 2019/20 season also brought Lechia successes, even though they had to admit the superiority of Cracovia in the Polish Cup final.


Lechia Gdańsk is a club with a rich history and tradition, which over the years has become a symbol of Gdańsk sport, attracting fans not only from Poland, but from all over the world.


Gedania 1922 sports club in a group photo

GKS Gedania 1922


Gdańsk, a city with deep-rooted history and cultural richness, is home to one of the oldest football clubs in Poland - GKS Gedania 1922. Founded in 1922, Gedania is not just a football club, but a living symbol of the city's sporting tradition and community spirit .


Gedania, although it may not be as recognizable as other Polish clubs, plays an extremely important role in the history and culture of Gdańsk. Its early years were a time when football was still in its infancy, and each match was an opportunity to celebrate local spirit and community. Gedania not only helped shape the local football scene, but also became an important element of the city's identity.


The club has achieved numerous successes at local and regional level, but Gedania's true value goes beyond sporting achievements. This is a club that reflects the passion and determination of the inhabitants of Gdańsk. Over the years, Gedania has witnessed many changes, both in football and in the city itself, but its spirit has remained unchanged.


Today, Gedania continues its activities, being an important place for local athletes and football enthusiasts. This club is a source of inspiration for young football players who dream of a sports career, offering them a platform for development and competition. Gedania not only cares about the sports development of young people, but also actively participates in the life of the local community, organizing events and initiatives that contribute to integration and building bonds between residents.


For tourists visiting Gdańsk, Gedania offers a unique look at the local football culture, being a living witness to the city's history and its sporting traditions. By visiting Gedania matches, you can feel the true spirit of Gdańsk football, which combines both tradition and contemporary passion for sport.


Gedania, with its indomitable spirit and rich history, is not only an important element of Gdańsk's sporting heritage, but also a symbol of the perseverance and passion that define this city. Each Gedania match is not only an opportunity to watch sports competitions, but also to experience the deeply rooted spirit of the city and its inhabitants.


Emblem of the Gedania 1922 sports club

History of the Gedania 1922 Sports Club


Football came to Gdańsk at the end of the 19th century, thanks to English sailors. The first football club, Fußball-Club (FC) Danzig, was founded in 1903, and its first match against an external rival took place in the same year.


Establishment of the Club


The history of Gedania began in 1876 with the establishment of Ogniwo, the first Polish sports association in Gdańsk. Later, the Polish Gymnastic Society "Sokół" in 1926 it built a pitch with sports equipment, which later became the headquarters of Gedania. In 1922, as a result of the conflict and the closure of the football section in "Sokole", the Gedania sports club was established.


Years 1922-1939


In 1924, Gedania joined the Baltischer Rasen- und Wintersport-Verband, and later the Deutscher Fußball-Bund and Gauliga Ostpreußen. The club finished 2nd in the Gauliga Danzig twice in the 1936–37 and 1937–38 seasons. Gedania had various sports sections, including football, athletics and boxing.


In 1939, the club was forced to suspend its activities by the authorities of WM Gdańsk, and many club members were murdered or deported to concentration camps.


Gedania after 1945


The club was reactivated after the liberation of Gdańsk in 1945 as KS Gedania. After initial successes, the club began wandering around the lower football leagues. In 1987, Gedania merged with the MOSiR Gdańsk club.


GKS Gedania 1922 today


In 2003, Gedania merged with Flotilla Gdańsk. In 2006, the GKS GEDANIA 1922 association was established on the basis of the KKS Gedania Football Section. In 2012, the club moved to its new home - the sports and recreation complex at Aleja Hallera 201.


Gedania 1922 is a club with a rich history and an important place in the sports culture of Gdańsk, continuing the tradition of Polish sport and community spirit in the city.


photo of the Lechi Gdańsk stadium at Traugutta 29

Stadium at Traugutta 29


In the heart of Gdańsk, a city with a rich history and passion for sport, there is one facility that stands out, which is not only an arena for football competitions, but also a significant symbol of the city - Lechia Gdańsk Stadium at 29 Traugutta Street.


Since its construction in the 1950s, this stadium has become an inseparable element of the sports landscape of Gdańsk, being home to one of the most valued football clubs in Poland - Lechia Gdańsk.


Traugutta Stadium, with its characteristic architecture and atmosphere, witnesses countless exciting matches and sports events that have gone down forever in the history of Gdańsk football. Each match here is not only a competition on the pitch, but also a celebration of the community and passion that unites Lechia fans, regardless of their age or origin. It is here, in the stands of the stadium, that the fans' shouts and songs resound, creating a unique atmosphere that reflects the spirit of Gdańsk.


Over the years, the stadium has undergone numerous modernizations to meet the growing demands of modern football and provide fans and players with the best possible conditions. From modern stands to improved training facilities and social facilities, the Traugutta Stadium has evolved to become a modern sports facility that still pays homage to its roots and history.


In its essence, the Lechia Gdańsk Stadium at Traugutta 29 is more than just a sports facility. It is a place that combines history and tradition with passion, and which remains one of the most important points on the map of Gdańsk, symbolizing the unwavering sports and community spirit of this unique city.


stands of the stadium in Letnica in Gdańsk

Polsat Plus Arena Gdańsk


Amber Arena Gdańsk Stadium, also known under the commercial name Polsat Plus Arena Gdańsk, is one of the most important sports facilities in Gdańsk, located in the Letnica district at Pokoleń Lechii Gdańsk 1 Street. It is the fifth largest football stadium in Poland, and its main user is the first league football club Lechia Gdańsk and the third league Gedania Gdańsk​​.


This impressive sports facility was built especially for the European Football Championships held in Poland and Ukraine in 2012. A characteristic feature of the stadium is its modern design and advanced technologies that meet the highest standards related to the organization of matches and other large events. The appearance of the stadium refers to the tradition of Gdańsk.


Ergo Arena has a capacity of 41,620 seats, of which 480 seats are intended for VIPs, 1,383 seats are business seats and 66 seats are adapted for people with disabilities. The attendance record at the stadium was set during the Poland - Netherlands match on June 1, 2016 and amounted to 40,392 spectators​​.


For sports lovers, a visit to the Energa Gdańsk Stadium is an unforgettable experience, allowing you to feel the atmosphere of great sporting emotions and immerse yourself in the dynamic world of cultural and entertainment events. This stadium is a symbol of Gdańsk's modernity and innovation, combining advanced architecture with a passion for sport and culture.

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