PGE Narodowy
Location
Warszawa, Poland
Current Local Time
Track Info
PGE Narodowy - Warsaw, Poland
Temporary motorcycle speedway track inside Poland's national stadium - known for enormous crowds, short races and an intense indoor atmosphere
When was the venue built?
PGE Narodowy is a multi-purpose stadium rather than a permanent racing circuit. Construction began in 2008, and the completed arena officially opened in January 2012 before hosting matches during that year's European football championship.
The stadium has a retractable inner roof and more than 58,000 seats. Its large floor can be converted for concerts, exhibitions and motorsport events.
When did racing begin?
The first Warsaw round of the FIM Speedway Grand Prix was held here on 18 April 2015. Slovenian rider Matej Žagar won the meeting, beginning the stadium's association with World Championship speedway.
The event developed into Poland's largest annual speedway spectacle. Tai Woffinden became the first rider to win twice in Warsaw, taking victories in 2016 and 2018.
What's the track like?
- Completely temporary: Protective layers, barriers and thousands of tonnes of prepared material are installed over the stadium floor before racing.
- Short and tight: The approximately 270 m oval has brief straights and closely connected bends, so riders have little time to recover from a poor start.
- Changing surface: The loose top layer moves as races continue. Riders must find whichever inside, middle or outside line currently offers the most grip.
- Enclosed atmosphere: The roof and steep seating bowl amplify the sound while keeping the entire track visible to most spectators.
How does speedway work?
- Four riders: Each race normally contains four motorcycles competing over four laps.
- Very short races: A heat lasts approximately one minute, making the start and first corner especially important.
- Simple scoring: The winner receives three points, followed by two for second, one for third and zero for fourth.
- No brakes: The lightweight 500 cc motorcycles have one gear and no conventional brakes. Riders slow by turning the rear wheel sideways through the bends.
Major events and moments
- Speedway Grand Prix: Sixteen leading individual riders compete through qualifying heats, semi-finals and a final.
- Polish support: Huge red-and-white displays and a loud national anthem ceremony have become important parts of the Warsaw event.
- World Cup Final: PGE Narodowy was selected to host the 2026 international team final, bringing four national squads to Warsaw.
- No permanent record: Track dimensions and surfaces can change between editions, so race times are not directly comparable across every year.
Why go?
PGE Narodowy offers speedway on a scale rarely seen elsewhere. More than 50,000 spectators surround a compact oval, and almost every seat provides a view of the complete race.
The basic format is also easy for newcomers to understand. Four riders start together, complete four laps and race for the finishing order, with a new heat beginning shortly afterwards.
Where's the best place to watch?
- High central seats: Best for seeing the entire oval, watching racing lines develop and following the overall competition.
- Near the starting straight: Good for the starting procedure, first acceleration and finishes decided at the line.
- First and second bends: Best for the crowded opening corner, overtaking attempts and riders searching for grip.
- Lower seating: Provides the strongest sense of speed, engine noise and loose surface being thrown from the motorcycles.
PGE Narodowy does not contain a permanent motorsport track. Its oval, spectator entrances and restricted areas are created for individual events and may change each year, so check the official event information before travelling.
Transportation & Parking
Getting to PGE Narodowy (Warsaw)
PGE Narodowy is Warsaw's national stadium, close to the city centre on the east side of the Vistula River. Public transport is usually the easiest way to visit: the stadium has its own metro and railway stations, with buses and trams also stopping nearby.
Getting there by public transport
PGE Narodowy is one of the easiest motorsport venues to reach without a car. Metro, railway, tram and bus services all stop within walking distance.
- Metro: take the M2 line to Stadion Narodowy. The stadium is only a short walk from the station.
- Train: use Warszawa Stadion station, served by suburban and regional trains.
- Tram: services stop around Rondo Waszyngtona, beside the stadium.
- Bus: numerous city routes also serve Rondo Waszyngtona and the surrounding streets.
For large events, Warsaw may introduce extra services or temporary route changes. Check the WTP journey planner on the day you travel.
Coming from central Warsaw
If you are staying in central Warsaw, there is little reason to drive. Public transport is frequent and avoids the traffic that builds around the stadium before major events.
- From the city centre: the M2 metro provides a quick connection towards Stadion Narodowy.
- From Warszawa Centralna: walk to a nearby metro, tram or railway connection and continue towards the stadium.
- Taxi or rideshare: useful for small groups, but road closures can make the final approach slower on event days.
After a sold-out event, expect busy metro platforms and tram stops. Walking towards the city centre for a while can sometimes be easier than waiting immediately outside.
Flying in
Warsaw Chopin Airport (WAW) is the easiest airport for international visitors and is approximately 12 km from PGE Narodowy.
- Public transport: airport trains and buses connect the terminal with central Warsaw, where you can continue towards the stadium.
- Taxi or rideshare: convenient outside peak traffic, particularly if several people are travelling together.
- Warsaw Modlin Airport (WMI): approximately 40 km from PGE Narodowy and mainly used by low-cost airlines.
If you are flying into Modlin, allow considerably more time. Airport buses and rail connections take you into Warsaw before you continue to the stadium.
Driving & parking
Driving is possible, but public transport is normally easier for major motorsport events. Roads around PGE Narodowy can become heavily congested and temporary closures are common.
- Event parking: cars can use designated parking on the open grounds surrounding the stadium when available.
- Book before travelling: from August 2026, PGE Narodowy sells mass-event parking tickets online rather than at the entrance.
- Current standard event price: car parking is 70 zł, although individual events can have different arrangements.
- Follow event directions: entrances from streets such as Sokola and Zamoyskiego can change depending on the event.
If your accommodation has parking, leaving the car there and taking the metro is usually the simplest race-day plan.
Understanding the venue
PGE Narodowy is not a permanent race track. It is a large covered stadium that is converted for motorsport by building a temporary competition course inside.
- Speedway: a temporary dirt oval is constructed on the stadium floor for international motorcycle speedway.
- Drifting: Drift Masters also transforms the stadium into a temporary drift arena.
- Different layouts: entrances, fan zones and spectator routes depend on the event being held.
- Check your gate: the stadium is large, so use the entrance printed on your ticket rather than simply walking to the nearest gate.
Because the track is temporary, there is no normal circuit entrance or paddock layout that applies to every motorsport event.
Race-day tips
- Use public transport: the metro and railway stations beside the stadium make this the easiest option for most visitors.
- Arrive early: allow extra time for ticket checks, security and finding the correct stadium entrance.
- Check your gate: approaching from the wrong side of the stadium can add a long walk.
- Bring hearing protection: especially for children attending speedway or drifting.
- Check event rules: bag sizes, permitted items and entry procedures can differ between events.
- Save the address: Al. Ks. J. Poniatowskiego 1, 03-901 Warsaw, Poland.
For a first visit, stay somewhere with easy access to Warsaw's metro and travel to Stadion Narodowy on the M2 line. A rental car is unnecessary for most visitors.
Metro services, parking prices, road closures, gates and event-day arrangements can change. Check the official PGE Narodowy information and the organiser's spectator guide before travelling.
Nearby Activities
Things to do around PGE Narodowy (Warsaw, Poland)
PGE Narodowy is Poland's national stadium rather than a permanent racetrack, but for major speedway events its football pitch is transformed by a temporary dirt oval. The stadium sits beside the Vistula River close to central Warsaw, putting museums, parks, historic streets and family attractions within easy reach before or after the racing.
Family-friendly highlights nearby
- Copernicus Science Centre: A highly interactive science attraction across the river with hundreds of exhibits designed for experimenting rather than simply looking at displays.
- E.Wedel Chocolate Factory Museum: Learn how one of Poland's best-known chocolate brands makes its products, with tastings and a rooftop view toward PGE Narodowy.
- PGE Narodowy Stadium Tour: On non-event days, guided tours provide a closer look inside the stadium. Check availability because tours can stop during major event preparations.
Culture & rainy-day winners
- Warsaw Old Town: Explore the colourful Market Square, Royal Castle and reconstructed historic streets. The area was rebuilt after World War II and is now UNESCO listed.
- Warsaw Rising Museum: An interactive museum explaining the 1944 Warsaw Rising through photographs, personal stories, objects and multimedia displays.
- POLIN Museum: Follow 1,000 years of Jewish history in Poland through a large modern exhibition in the former Warsaw Ghetto area.
Eat & drink around the stadium
- Saska Kępa: Walk toward Francuska Street for cafés, restaurants and international food in one of Warsaw's most pleasant residential districts.
- Vistula Boulevards: The opposite riverbank has seasonal food pavilions, cafés and places to sit beside the water.
- Try pierogi: Poland's famous filled dumplings come with meat, cabbage and mushroom, potato and cheese or seasonal sweet fillings.
- Visit a milk bar: These simple Polish cafeterias are an inexpensive way to try traditional soups, dumplings and home-style meals.
Get outdoors beside the stadium
- Skaryszewski Park: A large historic park only a short walk from PGE Narodowy, with old trees, paths, ponds and quiet places to relax before an evening event.
- Vistula River: Walk or cycle beside the river, cross between the two banks or take a seasonal sightseeing cruise.
- Poniatówka Beach: A popular sandy city beach close to the stadium that gives you a surprisingly relaxed view of central Warsaw.
Easy day trips if you're extending your stay
- Royal Łazienki: Explore landscaped gardens, palaces and the famous Chopin Monument without leaving Warsaw.
- Wilanów Palace: A grand Baroque royal residence with historic interiors and formal gardens in southern Warsaw.
- Żelazowa Wola: Visit the birthplace of composer Fryderyk Chopin and its surrounding park outside the city. Seasonal piano recitals make it especially worthwhile for music fans.
Good to know during speedway events
- There is no permanent track: The speedway oval is specially constructed inside the stadium, so you cannot normally visit PGE Narodowy expecting to see a racetrack.
- Public transport is usually easiest: Stadion Narodowy metro station and Warszawa Stadion railway station are beside the venue, with tram and bus connections also nearby.
- Expect large crowds: Major speedway meetings can attract more than 50,000 fans, so allow extra time for security checks and finding your entrance.
- Check event rules: Bag sizes, permitted items, parking and entry procedures can change depending on the event organiser.
- Bring hearing protection: Speedway motorcycles inside an enclosed stadium environment are extremely loud, particularly for children.
Event dates, stadium tours, spectator rules, public transport arrangements and attraction opening hours can change - check current information before travelling.