HNK Hajduk Split will play away against NK Vardarac in the round of 32 of the Croatian Football Cup. The match is scheduled for September 8th or 9th.
Vardarac's new stadium, named V Arena, meets all UEFA requirements and has already hosted international youth matches. The roof structure weighs 58 tons and is supported by pillars driven 18 meters deep due to unstable ground conditions in the Baranja region. The stadium has a capacity of 500 seats, roughly matching the population of the village itself.
Beyond the main pitch and stands, V Arena features complete modern infrastructure. This includes dressing rooms for both children and adults, separate referee facilities, a VAR room, and doping control areas. The complex also houses a gym, modern media facilities, meeting rooms, and 83 parking spaces. Construction finished last year, and now it will face its biggest test in competitive action.
Hajduk's visit represents the biggest event in the small club's history. Fans of the Whites can follow all squad preparations on our squad page. Currently, according to official data, Hajduk has an average squad age of 23.7 years, making it one of the youngest teams in the league.
For the Split-based club, this is their first match in this season's Cup edition. Last season, Hajduk reached the competition's semi-finals. In the HNL, the team currently holds a high position in the standings table, with a positive goal difference. The match in Vardarac will be an opportunity for squad rotation and giving minutes to players with fewer opportunities.
The game will be played on a pitch that is technically fully prepared for high-level competition. It meets UEFA criteria and youth levels of Croatian national teams can already play there. This will allow Hajduk normal conditions for preparation and play, despite the fact it's a fourth-tier venue.
The team travels to Baranja with the clear objective of advancing to the next round. After this match, the Whites will return to league commitments. The full schedule of upcoming matches can be found on our fixtures page. One of the key players for this part of the season will be the captain, who has already scored over 10 goals across all competitions.
The trip to Vardarac, located about ten kilometers northeast of Osijek, will be shorter than usual away trips. Hajduk has already shown good away form this season, providing optimism for this fixture. The next league match after the cup will be against one of the leading rival clubs in a week's time.
