The stadium is named after Ivaylo, the 13th-century Bulgarian tsar and former swineherd who led a peasant uprising.
It hosted the Bulgarian national football team for several international matches in the 1970s and 1980s.
The facility serves as the municipal center for sports infrastructure management in Veliko Tarnovo.
The pitch underwent a major drainage and grass replacement project to modernize the surface for the professional league.
The stadium is integrated into a larger sports complex that includes supplementary training pitches and gym facilities.
Stadion Ivaylo is the primary multi-purpose sports facility located in Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria, serving as the home ground for the professional football club FC Etar. The venue features a natural grass pitch and a surrounding athletics track, making it a hub for both football matches and local track-and-field events. Its capacity is approximately 15,000 spectators, though seating is primarily concentrated in the main grandstand. The stadium underwent significant infrastructure renovations in recent years to meet professional league requirements, including upgrades to lighting and pitch irrigation. It is situated within a recreational zone in the western part of the city. While the provided database lists the city as Gorna Oryahovitsa, the facility is physically located in Veliko Tarnovo.
The highest tier of the central grandstand, providing a panoramic view of the entire pitch and the surrounding hills.
Check the local sports schedule in advance, as access to the pitch area is restricted during professional football matches.
Visit during the early evening if you wish to see the stadium floodlights in operation.
Wear comfortable walking shoes if you intend to walk the perimeter of the athletics track.
Do not attempt to enter the locker room or pitch areas during match days without proper accreditation.
The facility is open year-round for training, but public access to the main stands is restricted during football matches.
No running on the professional grass pitch; spectators must stay in designated seating areas during events.
