Zeqir Ymeri Stadium

Ilirjan Thaci Stadium

Full name	Ilirjan Thaçi Stadium
Location	Kukës Kukës District Albania
Coordinates
Owner	FK Kukësi
Operator	FK Kukësi
Capacity	5,000
Field size	100 x 74 m
Surface	Grass
Construction
Broke ground	23 June 2012
Opened	1 October 2012 (2012-10-01)
Construction cost	80 million lek €576,000
Architect	Mujo Noka
Structural engineer	Vladimir Spahiu
General contractor	Fatjoni Sh.p.k

The Ilirjan Thaçi Stadium (Albanian: ilirjan Thaçi ), aka former Përparimi Stadium (Albanian: Stadiumi Përparimi) is a stadium in Kukës, Albania. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home ground of FK Kukësi. The stadium was a ground until June 2012, with a small capacity, but participation in the Albanian Superliga for the first time in the history of FK Kukësi in the 2012–13 season, made the investment necessary.

As of August 2012, the stadium is re-constructed, and holds around 5,000 people. 2012.

History

On 30 November 2013, just a few month after the completion of the stadium it was struck by tragedy following the death of 17-year-old footballer Ilirjan Thaçi who died following a heart attack on the field during a friendly between FK Kukësi U17 and KF Liria U17. A one-minute silence before the start of every game in Albania was held the following weekend There were calls as well as a petition to change the name of the stadium where he died to the Ilirjan Thaçi stadium in memory of the young player.