Buy Universitatea Craiova tickets for the 2026/27 Season and join the crowd at the Ion Oblemenco Stadium, home of one of the most passionately supported clubs in Romanian football. Craiova start the campaign as reigning champions after a 2025/26 league and cup double that ended a long wait for a title in Oltenia. That success, together with European football and some of the largest crowds in the Superliga, has made a matchday in the Bănie one of the liveliest in the country.
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This guide explains how matchdays at the Ion Oblemenco work, what tickets typically cost, which stands suit which kind of fan and how to buy through 1BoxOffice with the protection of a 150% money-back guarantee. It also covers the club's history, its rivalries and the fixtures that draw the largest crowds, so you can plan a trip to Craiova with realistic expectations.
Universitatea Craiova sell match tickets through the club's own channels and stadium ticket offices, with season ticket holders already covering a large share of the ground before each sale opens. For a standard Superliga fixture that usually leaves plenty of seats for anyone who wants one. The picture changes for visits from FCSB, Dinamo București or Rapid and for European nights, when the most popular stands can sell out days before kick-off.
Timing adds a second complication for visitors. The Romanian league confirms exact kick-off times in blocks, often only a couple of weeks ahead, and fixtures move around television schedules and European commitments. The season also splits into a championship play-off and a play-out in the spring, so the opponents and dates for the final two months are known only late in the campaign. A fan booking flights to Romania from London, Dubai or Riyadh can find that the trip is fixed long before any seat goes on sale.
The secondary market fills that gap where listings exist. When Craiova fixtures are listed on 1BoxOffice, you can secure a seat, a price and a seating area while there is still time to plan the rest of the trip, and you can compare different stands side by side. For European away matches, where the host club controls the home sale, a marketplace listing can be one of the few ways a travelling or neutral fan can buy at all.
Romanian clubs and UEFA can apply identification checks at the turnstile, particularly for high-risk fixtures and European matches. Sellers on 1BoxOffice set out in their listing notes how delivery works and what they need from you, so read those notes carefully before you buy.
1BoxOffice has operated as a ticket marketplace since 2006, connecting football fans with sellers across Europe, the Middle East and beyond. The platform is built around buyer protection: sellers are vetted, payments are processed securely and every order can be followed from purchase to delivery.
That matters when the club's sales information is published mainly in Romanian and high-demand matches sell out quickly. Buying through a marketplace with clear guarantees means you are not relying on a stranger in a social media group or a reseller with no track record.
What you get with every order:
Craiova regularly draw some of the largest crowds in Romanian club football. Around 11,000 supporters have held season tickets in recent campaigns, and big matches push attendance towards the stadium's capacity of around 30,900. Few clubs in the country can match that following, and the noise from the stands is part of the reason neutral visitors make the trip.
Several forces push demand up season after season, and most of them have little to do with the league table on any given weekend.
The practical lesson is simple: the more of these factors that overlap on one fixture, the earlier you should buy. A European night against a famous opponent stacks four or five of them at once.
Romanian football has some of the lower face values in European club football. A standard Superliga ticket at the Ion Oblemenco typically costs a fraction of a comparable seat in Western Europe, with the North and South stands behind the goals priced below the two main stands along the sides. Derbies against Dinamo, FCSB and Rapid, and European fixtures, carry higher face values.
Resale prices reflect demand rather than face value. Seats for a standard league fixture may sit close to the club price, while derby and European prices tend to rise as the match approaches and supply disappears. For Craiova's away matches in Europe, prices follow the host club's pricing, so a visit to an English stadium will cost considerably more than a home match in Craiova.
Across the 2026/27 season window, the ranges below show what supporters typically pay on the secondary market. They are a guide, not a promise, and the price you see on any listing depends on the opponent, the seat and how close to kick-off you buy.
| Type of Ticket | Typical Price Range (GBP) |
|---|---|
| Superliga (standard fixtures) | £15 – £50 |
| Superliga (Dinamo, FCSB and Rapid) | £30 – £120+ |
| Cupa României | £10 – £40 |
| UEFA competition (home in Craiova) | £30 – £120+ |
| UEFA competition (away) | £50 – £250+ |
| Hospitality / VIP | £80 – £250+ |
Prices reflect typical resale ranges and may change as demand and availability shift.
Yes. Craiova do not run a members-only sale for standard Superliga fixtures, and most home matches reach general sale through the club's ticketing channels and stadium ticket offices. A visitor can usually buy online or at the ticket office in the days before a match, often with a choice of seats across several stands.
High-demand matches work differently. Season ticket holders keep their seats for derbies and European fixtures, and remaining tickets in the North and South stands can sell out quickly once local supporters buy. Some sales information is published only in Romanian, and online payment options for foreign cards can be limited, which makes the process harder for a first-time visitor.
That is where a marketplace listing becomes the practical option. You do not need any club account to buy through 1BoxOffice, but some tickets carry the holder's name and stewards can ask for identification. Read the listing notes before purchase so you know exactly how the seller completes delivery and what details they need from you.
For European away matches, the visiting allocation is controlled by UEFA rules and sold through Craiova to their own supporters. Seats in the home sections of the host stadium are sold by the host club, often with restrictions on visiting fans, so read the listing notes carefully about which section a ticket covers.
In Romania a season ticket is called an abonament, and Craiova's holders form the backbone of the crowd. Around 11,000 supporters held season tickets in a recent campaign, covering home league matches, with European fixtures and some cup ties sold separately or offered to holders first. The 2025/26 double has increased demand for abonamente, and many holders treat their seat in the North Stand or the main stand as a fixed part of the week.
Season ticket prices change each summer, so a fixed price list would date quickly. The table below focuses instead on how season ticket seats are distributed around the ground and what that means for anyone buying for a single match.
European matches are usually sold separately from league season tickets, with holders typically offered a priority window or a package covering several fixtures before any general release. For high-profile European nights, that priority window can account for most of the stadium, which is why supporters who do not hold a season ticket often struggle to find seats in the North and South stands once general sale opens.
| Area | Who Usually Holds Season Tickets | Match-by-Match Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Peluza Nord (North Stand) | Ultras groups and core supporters | Very limited; often sold out for big matches |
| Peluza Sud (South Stand) | Younger fans and groups on a budget | Moderate; sells out for derbies and European nights |
| Tribuna I (main stand) | Long-standing supporters, families and corporate guests | Moderate; upper sections often available |
| Tribuna a II-a (opposite stand) | Regular attendees who want a sideline view | Moderate for standard fixtures, tight for big matches |
| VIP and business areas | Sponsors and premium supporters on seasonal deals | Occasional match-by-match packages |
The Ion Oblemenco Stadium is a modern, fully covered all-seater with four stands close to the pitch, so sightlines are good from almost every seat. The two main stands run along the sides of the pitch: Tribuna I, which holds the VIP areas, and Tribuna a II-a opposite. The two ends are the Peluza Nord, home to the ultras, and the Peluza Sud.
The real choice is between atmosphere and comfort. The Peluza Nord produces the noise and the choreography, while Tribuna I offers calmer seats and direct access to hospitality. For a big match the whole stadium is loud, so even a sideline seat feels intense. For a standard league fixture, a central seat in either main stand gives the most complete view of the game.
| Stand / Area | Best For | Price Bracket | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peluza Nord | Non-stop singing and the ultras experience | Lower | Standing is normal; flags and smoke are possible; not ideal for children |
| Peluza Sud | Behind-goal atmosphere at a lower price | Lower | Lively for big matches; a good view of the North Stand displays |
| Tribuna I, central | Comfort and a clear sideline view | Mid to high | Main stand with VIP and business areas |
| Tribuna I, upper | A sideline view at a moderate price | Mid | Often the last area to sell out for big matches |
| Tribuna a II-a | A sideline view facing the main stand | Mid | Central sectors sell quickly for derbies |
Visiting supporters are housed in a separate, segregated section, and for high-risk fixtures the authorities can restrict or bar away fans entirely. If you are a neutral visitor, avoid wearing the colours of the visiting team in the home stands, and follow steward instructions about where you can enter.
Away travel in Romanian football is shaped by long distances and security planning. Visiting allocations are set by the home club and the local gendarmerie, and for derby fixtures supporters can expect organised travel, escorts and segregated entry. Craiova fans travel in large numbers to Bucharest, which is around three hours away by road, and to other cities across the country.
For European away matches, UEFA rules guarantee a visiting allocation, which Craiova distribute to their own supporters. The 2026/27 Conference League league phase takes the club to Andorra to face Inter Escaldes, to England to face Brighton and Hove Albion and to Kazakhstan to face Kairat Almaty, a spread that ranges from a short trip to one of the longest journeys in European club football.
Home matches in the same league phase bring Getafe, Egnatia and Copenhagen to the Ion Oblemenco. European nights at the stadium have quickly become the most sought-after tickets of the season, combining the regular crowd with supporters who travel in from across Oltenia for a rare chance to see foreign opposition. When Craiova progress in Europe, demand for knockout ties can exceed even a derby.
| Topic | What to Expect |
|---|---|
| Away allocation (Superliga) | Set by the home club and the gendarmerie; derbies carry extra controls |
| Bucharest away | Strong travelling support with escorts and segregated entry at the major grounds |
| Typical away experience | Loud, organised support, often travelling by coach |
| European away | UEFA allocation sold through Craiova; host clubs sell their own home sections |
| Travel notes | Trips to Cluj, Constanța or Arad mean long road or rail journeys; book transport early |
Domestic away days vary widely. Visits to Bucharest bring the largest away followings and the tightest security, while trips to smaller grounds in Botoșani, Miercurea Ciuc or Hunedoara mean long journeys to compact stadiums where Craiova supporters can fill the visiting end. Supporters who travel by train should allow plenty of time, since rail journeys across Romania can be slow.
Every fan comes to the Ion Oblemenco for something slightly different. A first-time visitor who wants to film the North Stand needs a different seat from a family with a young child or a business guest who wants a quiet seat and a meal before kick-off. Use the table below to match the seat to the experience.
| Priority | Best Option | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Loudest atmosphere | Peluza Nord | The ultras lead every chant and display from here |
| Clearest view of the game | Tribuna I or Tribuna a II-a, central sectors | Covered sideline seats with a full view of the pitch |
| Family-friendly | Tribuna I, outer sectors | Seated crowd, easier exits and a calmer environment |
| Premium experience | VIP areas in Tribuna I | Padded seats, catering and the shortest route from the entrance |
| Lower-priced option | Peluza Sud | Low face values with a direct view of the North Stand choreography |
The current Ion Oblemenco Stadium opened on 10 November 2017 with a friendly against Slavia Prague. It replaced an older stadium of the same name, opened in 1967, which had hosted the club's famous European nights before it was demolished in 2015. The new ground was built on the same site in central Craiova and is named after Ion Oblemenco, the club's most famous striker and later coach.
The rebuild was part of a wider programme of new stadiums in Romanian cities, and it transformed the matchday experience. The old ground had large open terraces and limited facilities; the new one brought covered seating, modern concourses and hospitality areas, and crowds rose sharply as a result.
The stadium is a compact, steep-sided bowl with a roof covering all four stands, which holds the sound inside and gives the ground its reputation for noise. Capacity is around 30,900, making it one of the larger club stadiums in Romania, and it meets UEFA's requirements for European competition.
Supporters call Craiova the Bănie, after the city's historic role as the seat of the Ban of Oltenia, the medieval governor of the region. The club's nickname, Leii din Bănie, the Lions of the Bănie, comes from the same history, and the lion features on the crest. For many supporters, a match at the Ion Oblemenco is as much about regional pride as it is about football.
Getting there is straightforward. The stadium sits close to the city centre, and most visitors walk from central hotels or take a short taxi ride. Local buses and trams also serve the area, though they fill up quickly before big matches. Allow extra time on derby days, when police set up cordons around the ground and traffic slows in the surrounding streets.
For international visitors, Craiova International Airport has direct flights to several European cities, including services from the UK, Italy and Spain, which makes the city easier to reach than many visitors expect. Bucharest's Henri Coandă Airport is around three hours away by road, with train connections to Craiova for those who prefer rail.
Timing is the main planning challenge. The league usually confirms exact days and kick-off times only a couple of weeks ahead, and matches can shift within a weekend. If you are booking flights early, build in a day either side of the expected match date or choose flexible fares, then lock in your seat once the schedule is confirmed.
Matchday in Craiova centres on the city's pedestrian centre and the bars around the stadium, which fill up in the hours before kick-off. The walk to the ground becomes a stream of white and blue in the final hour, and the sound of the North Stand can be heard well before you reach the turnstiles.
The moment most visitors remember comes just before kick-off, when the Peluza Nord unfurls its choreography and the whole stadium joins the club's songs. Arriving early is the only way to see it properly, and it is worth building your day around.
Hospitality at the Ion Oblemenco is concentrated in Tribuna I, the main stand, which holds VIP seats and business areas used by sponsors and corporate guests. The offer is smaller and simpler than at major Western European clubs, but it gives a comfortable, covered seat with catering at a fraction of the price. Many VIP seats are sold on seasonal deals, but individual match packages can be available, particularly for league fixtures outside the derbies.
Hospitality suits corporate guests, small groups celebrating an occasion and anyone who wants a calmer experience. It can also be a sensible option for a derby or a big European night, when premium seats may be easier to secure than standard categories.
| Package | What It Includes | Typical Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Business seat | Central Tribuna I seat with access to a hospitality area | £80 – £150 |
| VIP seat | Premium central seat with food and drink service before and after the match | £120 – £250+ |
| Private box or group package | Private or semi-private space for a group with catering | Priced per package on request |
Hospitality prices rise for derbies and European fixtures and may change throughout the season.
Hospitality guests usually enter through main stand gates, which can make security queues shorter than at the public turnstiles, though the same identification rules apply. Smart casual dress is normal, and arriving an hour or more before kick-off gives you time to enjoy the catering before the pre-match displays begin.
Buying through 1BoxOffice takes a few minutes. The steps below cover the full process, from finding the fixture to tracking delivery to your phone or inbox.
Step1
Find your fixture
Use the search bar or the fixture list further down this guide to choose the match you want, from a Superliga game in Craiova to a European away day.
Step2
Create an account or log in
Complete your 1BoxOffice register details so your order, delivery updates and support history stay in one place.
Step3
Select your seats
Compare listings by stand, sector and price, and read the listing notes for the delivery method and any personal details the seller needs to complete your order.
Step4
Review your order
Confirm the match, quantity, seating area and total cost, including fees, before moving to payment. For away matches, make sure the section suits you, since home sections may have restrictions on visiting fans.
Step5
Complete payment
Pay through the secure checkout. Your order is backed by the 150% money-back guarantee from the moment payment is confirmed.
Step6
Track your order
Follow progress through the track order tool, where you will see when your tickets are dispatched and how they will reach you.
If anything changes after you buy, such as a rescheduled kick-off, the customer support team will contact you with the options available for your order.
Not every Craiova match needs an early decision. For a mid-table league opponent you can often buy in the final days, but for the fixtures below supply typically shrinks quickly once sales open.
| Fixture Type | Why It Moves Fast |
|---|---|
| Universitatea Craiova vs Dinamo București | The club's fiercest rivalry, with the North and South stands selling first |
| Universitatea Craiova vs FCSB | A meeting with Romania's most successful club, often close to a sell-out |
| European home nights | Foreign opponents draw crowds that fill the stadium |
| Universitatea Craiova vs Rapid București | A big Bucharest club with a large travelling support |
| Championship play-off fixtures | Spring matches against the top six decide the title and European places |
European nights deserve a separate note. Because these matches attract both season ticket holders and supporters who do not attend every week, demand can exceed even a derby, and the North and South stands are usually the first to sell out. Buying as soon as listings appear gives you the widest choice of sectors.
Cup ties sit at the other end of the scale. Early rounds of the Cupa României often reach general sale with plenty of seats left, which makes them a sensible choice for a first visit on a tight budget. The trade-off is that Craiova may rotate the squad, so if seeing the strongest line-up matters to you, a league fixture usually offers the better balance of price and quality.
The Superliga format adds a twist to the calendar. After 30 rounds, the top six enter a championship play-off and play each other twice more, starting with half their regular-season points. For a club challenging at the top, that means extra home matches against the strongest sides in the spring, often with the title at stake, and those fixtures can sell as quickly as a derby earlier in the season.
Delivery depends on the listing and the fixture. Romanian clubs increasingly issue tickets digitally, while European matches rely heavily on mobile ticketing. The method for each order is shown before you buy.
Always read the listing notes for the exact delivery method, the expected delivery window and any information the seller needs from you. Because clubs can release tickets late, delivery close to matchday is normal and not a sign that anything has gone wrong.
Gates usually open well before kick-off, and queues build quickly in the final hour for derbies and European matches. Gendarmerie checks around the stadium perimeter can add time. Arriving at least an hour early gives you time to clear security and be in your seat for the pre-match displays.
For evening kick-offs, the streets around the stadium get busy from late afternoon, with supporters gathering in nearby bars and food stalls. Eating before you arrive saves time at the stadium kiosks, where queues can be long at half-time on a full night.
Carry your passport or national ID card, since stewards and gendarmes can ask for identification, particularly at derbies and European fixtures. Some tickets carry the holder's name, so make sure the details match the person entering. Keep your phone charged and save any digital ticket offline, because mobile signal around the turnstiles can drop when the stadium is full.
Only small bags are normally permitted, and large backpacks or luggage are likely to be refused, with no storage at the stadium. Items that could be thrown, such as glass, cans, coins and umbrellas, are normally refused, and pyrotechnics are prohibited for spectators. Large flags and banners may need prior approval, so leave bulky items at your hotel.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Club Sportiv Universitatea Craiova |
| Founded | 1948 (football section re-established in 2013) |
| Nicknames | Știința, Leii din Bănie (The Lions of the Bănie), Alb-albaștrii (The White and Blues) |
| Colours | White and blue |
| Stadium | Stadionul Ion Oblemenco, Craiova (capacity around 30,900) |
| Head coach (2026/27) | Filipe Coelho |
| Owner | Mihai Rotaru |
| League | Romanian Superliga |
Universitatea Craiova's story runs from a university sports club founded after the Second World War, through the golden years of Craiova Maxima, to a long period of upheaval and a title-winning revival in 2026. It is also a story with a complicated chapter: since 2013 two clubs have claimed the Universitatea Craiova identity, and the question of who owns the historic record has been fought out in the courts.
The club began life in 1948 as part of the university sports club in Craiova, which is where the nickname Știința, meaning science, comes from. The early decades were spent mainly in the lower divisions, but promotion to the top flight in 1964 began a rise that would turn Craiova into a national force. Ion Oblemenco, a powerful centre-forward, became the club's idol and leading scorer. The 1972/73 season ended in heartbreak when Dinamo took the title on goal difference, an outcome that Craiova supporters have never forgotten.
The late 1970s and early 1980s are remembered in Oltenia as Craiova Maxima, roughly Craiova at its peak. A side built around players such as Costică Ștefănescu, Ilie Balaci, Rodion Cămătaru and goalkeeper Silviu Lung won three league titles, several Romanian Cups and played attractive, attacking football that won admirers across Europe. In the 1981/82 European Cup the team reached the quarter-finals, and in 1982/83 they went one better in the UEFA Cup, reaching the semi-finals before going out to Benfica on away goals after two draws. Those nights at the old stadium remain the defining memories for older supporters.
The run to the 1983 semi-final included wins over Fiorentina, Bordeaux and Kaiserslautern, results that brought Craiova international recognition and made the club the pride of Oltenia. The side also supplied a large share of the Romania national team in the early 1980s, and several of its players went on to coach in Romania and abroad. Supporters still use the phrase Craiova Maxima as a standard against which every later team is measured.
The 1990/91 double was the last great triumph of the original era. Later that year the university club's football section was dissolved and the team continued as a separate company, beginning more than two decades of upheaval. Financial problems, relegations and a damaging conflict with the football federation followed, and in 2013 the university sports club re-founded its football team. The successor company later re-emerged as FC U Craiova 1948, and the two clubs have contested the right to the historic name, crest and honours in the courts ever since.
The re-founded club returned to the top flight in 2014 and moved into the rebuilt Ion Oblemenco Stadium in 2017. Owner Mihai Rotaru oversaw steady progress: a Romanian Cup in 2018, a second in 2021 together with the Supercupa, and regular top-four finishes. The breakthrough came in 2025/26 under Portuguese coach Filipe Coelho, when Craiova reached the Conference League league phase for the first time and then clinched the Superliga title with a 5-0 win over Universitatea Cluj in May 2026, adding the Romanian Cup to complete the double.
For supporters, the title ended a wait of 35 years for a championship in Craiova. Thousands celebrated in the city centre, and the local council moved to make members of the squad honorary citizens. For anyone buying today, that history is part of the appeal: a match at the Ion Oblemenco is a chance to watch the champions of Romania in front of one of the most passionate crowds in the country.
Craiova's history is told through its players as much as its trophies. The figures below shaped the club across different eras and remain present in the songs and banners of the Peluza Nord.
| Legend | Role | Contribution | Milestones |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ion Oblemenco | Striker, later head coach | The club's idol of the 1960s and early 1970s, a powerful forward whose goals carried Craiova into the top flight's elite. He later returned as head coach, and the club's stadium carries his name. | Stadium named in his honour |
| Costică Ștefănescu | Defender and captain | The elegant sweeper and captain of the Craiova Maxima side. His reading of the game and leadership made him one of the most respected Romanian defenders of his era. | UEFA Cup semi-finalist 1983 |
| Ilie Balaci | Attacking midfielder | The creative heart of the great team of the early 1980s, admired for his dribbling, vision and goals. Supporters still rank him among the most gifted players in the club's history. | Playmaker of the Craiova Maxima side |
| Rodion Cămătaru | Striker | A prolific forward who led the line in Craiova's European campaigns. His goals were central to the club's titles and cup wins in the early 1980s. | UEFA Cup semi-finalist 1983 |
| Silviu Lung | Goalkeeper | The long-serving goalkeeper of the golden era and a Romania international at the 1990 World Cup. His consistency behind the Craiova Maxima defence made him a club legend. | Romania international at the 1990 World Cup |
| Nicușor Bancu | Defender and captain | A long-serving full-back who was part of the re-founded club's 2018 and 2021 cup wins. As captain, he lifted the Superliga trophy and the Romanian Cup in 2026. | Captain of the 2025/26 champions |
Universitatea Craiova's honours are split across two eras, and the ownership of the historic record from 1948 to 1991 has been the subject of long-running legal proceedings between CS Universitatea Craiova and FC U Craiova 1948. The table below separates the honours won before 1991 from those won by the re-founded club since 2013.
| Competition | Titles |
|---|---|
| Romanian championship, 1948 to 1991 era (historic record disputed) | 4 (1974, 1980, 1981, 1991) |
| Romanian Cup, 1948 to 1991 era (historic record disputed) | 5 (1977, 1978, 1981, 1983, 1991) |
| Superliga, since 2013 | 1 (2025/26) |
| Cupa României, since 2013 | 3 (2018, 2021, 2026) |
| Supercupa României, since 2013 | 2 (2021, 2026) |
Rivalries in Romanian football are shaped by the tension between the capital and the regions, and Craiova have spent decades defining themselves against the big Bucharest clubs.
The rivalry with Dinamo is the fiercest in Craiova's calendar. It began in 1972/73, when Dinamo won the title on goal difference at Craiova's expense, and deepened through the 1970s and 1980s as the two clubs competed for trophies. Dinamo were associated with the interior ministry during the communist era, and Craiova supporters still see the fixture as Oltenia against the establishment. Home matches against Dinamo produce full houses and the loudest atmosphere of the season.
For a visitor, a Dinamo match is the most memorable occasion at the Ion Oblemenco but also the most demanding. Both sets of supporters prepare large displays, security is tight and visiting fans are kept firmly apart. Buying early, arriving early and keeping club colours covered on the way to the ground are sensible steps for anyone attending for the first time.
Matches against FCSB, the club formerly known as Steaua, and Rapid carry less history than the Dinamo rivalry but draw some of the largest crowds of the season. FCSB are Romania's most successful club, and a win over them is a statement for any challenger. Rapid bring one of the most vocal travelling supports in the country, and their visits to Craiova are loud from first whistle to last.
The local rivalry is unusual. FC U Craiova 1948 also claim the heritage of the original Universitatea, and the dispute over the name, crest and historic honours has run through the courts for years. When the two clubs have met on the pitch, the matches have been charged with that history, and supporters on each side regard the other as having no right to the Universitatea identity.
Benfica ended Craiova's greatest European run, winning the 1983 UEFA Cup semi-final on away goals after two draws. For older supporters it remains the one that got away, a tie that came within a goal of putting a Romanian club in a European final. Any future meeting with the Portuguese club would revive memories of that spring.
Bayern knocked Craiova out of the European Cup at the quarter-final stage in 1981/82, at the height of the Craiova Maxima era. The tie showed how far the club had come, taking on one of Europe's strongest sides at the last-eight stage of the continent's premier competition. It is still a source of pride for the generation that watched it.
The five completed seasons below show a club moving from consistent challengers to national champions.
| Season | Summary |
|---|---|
| 2021/22 | A season after the 2021 cup and Supercupa wins. Craiova finished third in the league and reached the Romanian Cup semi-finals, staying among the leading challengers for the title. |
| 2022/23 | A fourth-place finish in a season of transition. The cup campaign ended at the group stage, and the club continued to rebuild its squad around experienced Romanian players. |
| 2023/24 | Back to third place in the league, with the Romanian Cup run ending in the quarter-finals. Crowds at the Ion Oblemenco remained among the largest in the country. |
| 2024/25 | Another third-place finish and a cup quarter-final, setting up a European campaign that would take the club further than ever before in the modern era. |
| 2025/26 | A historic season. Craiova reached the Conference League league phase for the first time, beating İstanbul Başakşehir in qualifying, and then won the Superliga and the Romanian Cup under Filipe Coelho, clinching the title with a 5-0 win over Universitatea Cluj. |
Craiova's squad changes every transfer window, but the way the club builds it has been fairly consistent under its current ownership. Understanding that approach tells you what kind of team you are likely to see at the Ion Oblemenco in any season.
| Pillar | What It Means | What It Means for Matchday |
|---|---|---|
| Romanian core | Experienced Romanian internationals and local players form the leadership group | A team the crowd identifies with closely |
| Academy pathway | The club's youth system develops players from Oltenia for the first team | Home-grown players often feature, especially in cup ties |
| Targeted signings | Foreign players are added in key positions from Portugal, the Balkans and beyond | New faces each season alongside a stable core |
| Player sales | Successful players are sold to bigger leagues to fund the club | A squad that refreshes regularly |
| European schedule | Group-stage football requires a deeper squad than domestic play | League fixtures around European weeks may feature rotated sides |
No, most Universitatea Craiova home matches go on general sale without any membership. Derbies and European nights can sell out quickly to season ticket holders and local supporters. Marketplace listings give visitors another way to buy for those matches.
The stadium sits close to central Craiova, so most visitors walk from city-centre hotels or take a short taxi ride. Local buses and trams also serve the area. Allow extra time on derby days, when police cordons slow the final approach.
Standard league matches typically range from about £15 to £50 on the resale market. Derbies against Dinamo, FCSB and Rapid and European home nights cost more, while away matches in Europe follow the host club's pricing. Prices vary by opponent, seat and timing.
Delivery timing depends on the listing and on when the club releases tickets for that fixture. Clubs in Romania and across Europe often issue tickets only a few days before the match. The expected delivery window is shown in the listing notes before you buy.
Craiova Maxima is the name supporters give to the great Universitatea Craiova side of the late 1970s and early 1980s. The team won three league titles and reached the 1983 UEFA Cup semi-finals, the first Romanian club to do so. Players such as Costică Ștefănescu, Ilie Balaci and Rodion Cămătaru are still celebrated in Craiova.
Whether you want the noise of the Peluza Nord, a calm seat in Tribuna I or a European away day with the travelling support, 1BoxOffice gives you a verified marketplace to compare seats across the season. Football fans have bought through 1BoxOffice since 2006, and Universitatea Craiova tickets on the platform come with the 150% money-back guarantee.
Sources: CS Universitatea Craiova official club website, Liga Profesionistă de Fotbal, Romanian Football Federation, UEFA, Transfermarkt, Wikipedia, Digi24, Fanatik, ProSport and Gambling.com Romania. 1BoxOffice is an independent ticket marketplace and is not affiliated with CS Universitatea Craiova, the LPF or UEFA.
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