Edinburgh Meadowbank Stadium opening date confirmed as long-running project nears finishing line

Edinburgh’s replacement for the historic Meadowbank Stadium will officially open its doors to visitors next month, it has been announced.

The flagship £47m redevelopment has been beset by delays due to the Covid pandemic and supply chain issues despite promises it would be open in 2020.

Bosses at Edinburgh Leisure have now confirmed the venue – which previously hosted the Commonwealth Games on two occasions its previous iteration – will become operational on July 19.

The multi-sport complex, which features a running track, all-weather pitches, gym and indoor halls, closed in December 2017 to undergo refurbishment.

June Peebles, chief executive of Edinburgh Leisure, admitted the opening had been “a long time coming” but promised the new facilities would be “worth the wait”.

She added: “The new Meadowbank will pick up where the old Meadowbank left off, providing countless opportunities for generations to come to participate in an extensive range of activities.

“New memories will be created, and we can’t wait to welcome the people of Edinburgh and beyond, into the new venue.

“This multi-million-pound investment will provide countless opportunities for Edinburgh citizens to be active and will undoubtedly contribute to the wellbeing of our city.”

Sports clubs recently registered their “frustration” at a lack of clarity over the opening date after Edinburgh Leisure admitted they did not know when the stadium would become usable.

The arms’ length operation, which works under City of Edinburgh Council, previously said it would be used for the counting of ballots in local authority elections, but only a small number of votes were counted there.

Tenants Edinburgh City, now renamed FC Edinburgh, had also hoped to play some of their matches during the cinch League Two campaign at the new 500-seat outdoor stadium, however remained at Ainslie Park for the duration of the season.

They should now kick off their inaugural cinch League One campaign at the arena.

Council leader Cammy Day added: “I’m delighted that we can now confirm when the doors for this fantastic new venue will open to the public.

“Meadowbank, I believe is one of the country’s top community sports centres, and features some of the most state-of-the-art fitness facilities in Britain. I very much look forward to seeing it bustling with sporting activity through the wide range of activities and classes.”