The Markopoulo Olympic Equestrian Center and New Horse Racetrack stands as one of the most technologically advanced equestrian venues in the world. Originally developed for the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, this 2,150-acre facility in the Mesogeia plain was designed to meet the elite standards of both the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) and the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities.
Strategically located near Athens International Airport, the center serves as a multi-purpose hub for equestrian sports and horse racing. NAMA played a crucial role in the development of this massive infrastructure, delivering the specialized engineering and environmental studies required to transform a complex landscape into a functional, world-class athletic venue.
High-Scale Infrastructure and Specialized Facilities
The project was a feat of planning and execution, designed to accommodate thousands of athletes, visitors, and high-performance horses simultaneously:
- Capacity and Scale: The venue was engineered to support over 17,250 spectators and staff, featuring permanent bleachers, cross-country courses, jumping arenas, and a high-standard racetrack.
- Elite Equine Facilities: Comprehensive design for state-of-the-art stables and veterinary facilities capable of housing 2,328 horses under optimal safety and hygiene conditions.
- Strategic Transport Design: NAMA executed complex traffic and transport studies to manage the high-volume flow of visitors and equestrian logistics, including a vast network of internal roads and dedicated parking zones.
- Integrated Water Management: Specialized hydraulic studies for a robust water supply network, tailored irrigation systems for the competition tracks, and a comprehensive fire protection system.
- Flood Protection and Environmental Responsibility: NAMA designed large-scale flood protection works to ensure the safety of the site’s low-lying areas. The project also included the technical design of an on-site Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP), ensuring the facility operates as a self-sustaining and eco-friendly infrastructure.
A Sustainable Post-Olympic Legacy
Following its successful debut during the ATHENS 2004 games, the center evolved into the New Athens Horse Racetrack, continuing to serve as the premier destination for horseracing in Greece. By successfully integrating sports architecture with large-scale utility engineering, NAMA ensured that the Markopoulo complex remains a functional and resilient asset for the country’s sports and tourism sectors.
For NAMA, the Markopoulo Equestrian Center is a prime example of our ability to handle multi-disciplinary projects that require extreme precision, balancing the unique needs of animal welfare with the demands of large-scale public infrastructure.
