The Galați City Hall wishes to take over the Oțelul stadium, in exchange for the debts of the Liberty Combine.

The Municipality of Galați has expressed its intention to take over the Oțelul stadium, where the local football team plays, in exchange for the debts it has against the Liberty Galați steel plant. The auction for the stadium will take place on June 19, 2026, concurrently with the sale of the plant, with a starting price of 3.5 million euros. The Municipality holds a first-ranking mortgage on the stadium land, and ANAF has legal mortgages on it. The replacement of guarantees between the Municipality and ANAF is essential for the takeover.

Representatives of the Municipality emphasize the importance of the stadium for local pride and the development of sports, but they do not have details about an investment plan. The Municipality has to recover 32.3 million lei, while ANAF has 273 million lei. The auction will be public and competitive, and the assets cannot be awarded below the starting price. The plant has supported the Oțelul club for 48 years, having a significant common history.