Cyprus’ Office of the State Aid Commissioner announced Tuesday that the European Commission has approved €44.5 million in public funding for the construction of the “Alfa Mega” stadium in Limassol, along with a 20‑year usage license for the city’s three professional football clubs.
State Aid Commissioner Stella Michailidou said the decision, issued Feb. 23, confirms that the project complies with European Union state‑aid rules. The office submitted the notification in December 2022 and coordinated the case throughout the Commission’s review, handling the legal and economic documentation and managing the process at every stage.
The project involved complex state‑aid questions related to major sports infrastructure — an area where EU scrutiny is particularly strict. The Commission’s approval confirms that the financing structure is compatible with EU law, does not distort competition and meets the criteria of necessity, proportionality and suitability, the office said.
Officials described the outcome as a significant institutional success for Cyprus, crediting the early notification, detailed documentation and systematic monitoring of the case. The approval shields the project from future legal or fiscal risks and reinforces the Republic’s credibility with EU institutions.
Michailidou urged public authorities to work closely with the State Aid Commissioner’s office when planning major projects, noting that proper use of EU state‑aid frameworks supports national development in priority sectors such as research, innovation, energy, the environment, digital transformation, agriculture and culture.
She said the office will continue to carry out its responsibilities “with determination, expertise and a strong sense of duty,” ensuring that all public measures falling under state‑aid rules remain legally secure and institutionally sound.
