West, also known by his stage name Ye, is due to perform on Friday evening at the temporary venue built along the Tirana-Durrës highway, with tens of thousands of spectators expected to attend.

Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja shared images on social media showing crowds gathering as the atmosphere built across the Albanian capital.

“All roads lead to the concert. The atmosphere has begun and fans and tourists from different countries are heading to Eagle Stadium for one of the biggest musical nights in Tirana. Tirana is ready,” Gonxhja wrote.

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West, also known as Ye, is due to perform on Saturday evening at the makeshift Eagle Stadium, built along the Tirana-Durrës highway for the event and expected to attract tens of thousands of fans.

In a post on social media, Rama shared images of the completed venue, saying the concert would place Albania “on another global map” by drawing international music fans who would later return to visit the country.

Responding to criticism over the government’s reported 4 million euro contribution, Rama said the money should be viewed as an investment that would generate returns through increased spending on hotels, restaurants, bars, shops and transport.

“The 4-million-euro funding is an investment that will be recovered through the thousands of visitors filling hotels, apartments, restaurants, bars, shops and taxis,” Rama said, adding that the state would also benefit from higher tax revenues linked to increased consumption.

The government head said an event of such scale is s “global marketing” for Albania and would have cost far more if promoted through traditional advertising campaigns.

“Culture is not only artistic value but also a driver of economic development, tourism, employment and consumption,” Rama said. He added that cancelling the concert would have damaged Albania’s international image.

“Albania does not succeed by hiding from the world. Albania succeeds by bringing the world to its doorstep,” he said.

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To host the UEFA U-21 EURO 2027 finals, the ‘Air Albania’ stadium is undertaking a major infrastructure renovation. This project involves reinforcing the field’s base and installing a new pitch, ensuring the venue meets elite UEFA requirements for international tournaments.

The Executive Committee of the Albanian Football Association recently approved the contractors for the project. Following a competitive procurement process, ‘Everest sh.p.k’ was chosen to rebuild the field’s foundation, selected for their legal compliance and proven expertise in sports infrastructure.

For the second phase of the project—supplying and installing the hybrid grass carpet—the Executive Committee approved Hatko Sports International L.L.C – FZ. /p.s./

Minister of Defense Pirro Vengu, through a post today in the social media, underlined that the stadium will serve the city, while emphasizing the significance of this project.

According to him, in addition to the stadium, the plan includes the construction of a modern public swimming pool and a new sports palace for the city of Vlora.

“The project of transforming the ‘Flamurtari’ Stadium into a completely new and modern arena serving the city is part of a master plan for development of an area even wider than that of public property and in addition to the stadium, it also provides for a new public swimming pool and a new sports palace for the city of Vlora,” Vengu underlined.

Vengu added that the project brings a harmony found between modern architecture and historical heritage.

“The winning project of the international competition, on public property, includes contemporary buildings that will give a new vitality to the social and economic life of Vlora, through the beautiful architectural conception of XDGA | Consulting and Management Albania ltd | Jeshile Landscape | Bollinger + Grohmann Sarl | Ledia Kostandini, in a very harmonious way with the rich historical heritage of this city so beloved by all Albanians and the whole world”, wrote Vengu.

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UEFA’s official page reads that the host stadium for the match is the “National Arena” in Tirana.

Albania will face Serbia on June 7 at 20:45, a Group K match for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

After the first two matches, the red and blacks hold second place in the group standing with 3 points, while England is on top with 6 points. /p.s./

Responding to comments on the social media, the government head also announced plans on launching a tender for construction of a new stadium in the southern Albanian city of Vlora soon, as part of his government’s objectives to upgrade local grassroots sports facilities across the country.

“I am not going to tell you what I think about your comment about Albania’s EU accession, but EU officials themselves have stated that Albania can wrap up accession negotiations by 2027,” Rama said in his “Sy m’Sy” social media segment.

The government head underlined that important development and infrastructure projects are underway in the coastal cities of Vlora and Dures and all over the country.

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This modern stadium has been rebuilt from scratch thanks to the vision and dedication of President of the Egnatia club Agim Demrozi as well as the significant financial support of the Football Association.

Albanian Football Association has invested over 2 million euros in the construction of the new stand, the lighting system, the covers and benches, the electronic screen, bringing a modern infrastructure and European standards.

Attending the ceremony was President of the Albanian Football Association Armand Duka and President of Egnatia sports club Agim Demrozi, who jointly unveiled the inauguration plaque, amidst the numerous applauses of the fans.

During a statement for fshf.org, President Duka appreciated this day as one of the most important for Rrogozhina football and for the Egnatia club. He emphasized that the new stadium, with a capacity of about 5 thousand seats and equipped with all the conditions of a category 4 facility, is ready to host any international match.

President Duka concluded his speech with an appeal for more fans in the stadiums and for a better promotion of the Albanian championship.

On his part, President of the Egnatia Agim Demrozi said it was a historic day for the city of Rrogozhina and thanked the Albanian Football Association and President Duka for the contribution given in the construction of the “Egnatia Arena” stadium.

The “Egnatia Arena” is now ready to host not only the Albanian championship matches, but also important international challenges, giving a new impetus to the development of football in this area. During the European U-17 Championship, which will take place in Albania from May 19 to June 1, at the “Egnatia Arena” stadium there will be held three matches. /a.f/p.s./

The 5 finalist teams are set to present to the jury the architectural concepts for a completely new stadium, according to UEFA standards, category IV, which will transform that area into a new center of Tirana.

In his speech at this event, Prime Minister Edi Rama emphasized that this is another competition organized by the Albanian Investment Corporation for another development of great significance in several aspects for the capital.

Rama emphasized that this project follows other projects for three other stadiums: in Durrës, Vlora and Korça, which are currently in the development phase.

“I am very pleased that after the three new stadiums that are now in the process, after the winners have been selected, there are made the implementation projects and AIC has announced the competition for developers. These are not stadiums exactly, but they are new urban centers in Durrës, Vlora and Korça”, Rama added.

The prime minister expressed his belief that the “Selman Stërmasi” stadium will also be another nucleus for a new urban center in the capital. /r.e//a.f/p.s./

The Red and Blacks are riding a wave of excitement after their impressive after their impressive victory in the Nations League against Ukraine over the last weekend.

The 2-1 win against a formidable opponent seen as a Group B1 favourite has sparked a renewed sense of optimism among fans and players alike.

Air Albania stadium in Tirana will see full capacity attendance for football fans as all tickets for the 22000-seat capacity stadium have been sold out. Fans hope that their team will continue its undefeated streak and secure another crucial victory in the Nations League campaign.

Albanian Soccer Federation has urged all Albanian fans to go the Air Albania stadium on September 10. The match kicks off on Tuesday at 8:45 pm local time, with Albania eager to extend their unbeaten run and build on their momentum.

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In a reaction in the social media, Rama wrote that, “The Yellow Wall of the Borussia Dortmund will be replaced for one night by the Red and Blacks Wave”. He was referring to the largest fan stand of any stadium in Europe that will be crowded with Albanian numerous fans.

“Of course! 50 thousand Albanians and 31 thousand fans of the Italian team on the steps of the famous Dortmund arena tomorrow, where Borussia’s Yellow Wall will be replaced for one night by Red and Blacks Wave “, wrote Rama.

According to the prime minister, “Albania has won its own European Championship and has nothing left to lose”.

“Therefore, whatever the score of the match, Saturday evening will remain not only in the history of Albanian football, but also in the memory of 10 million Albanians”, wrote Rama.

Although Signal Iduna Park, Borussia Dortmund’s home stadium, has a capacity of over 81,000 spectators for the club’s matches, it will have a reduced capacity of 62,000 during EURO2024 and UEFA sources said that a large number of neutral section for the opening match of Group B were bought by Albanian fans.

Many Albanian residents in Germany have bought tickets for the country’s first appearance at a major tournament since EURO 2016, while reigning European champions Italy are expected to be supported by fewer than 10,000 fans, as the vast majority of tickets are bought by Albanian fans. /m.m/r.e/p.s./