Teams, tales and tips – a guide to the local game
Of all the villages, hamlets and communities supporting top-flight clubs across Europe, surely the smallest is Kidričevo. Here, Aluminij have achieved no little success, staying afloat in the PrvaLiga for eight seasons since 2016 and reaching three cup finals, winning one in 2026.
That first major silverware means, improbably, that Aluminij will be making their European debut in July 2026, although the home tie is being switched to Slovenia’s fieriest club ground, Ljudski vrt in Maribor, 25km from this Styrian community just outside Ptuj, close to the border with Croatia.
Domestic fixtures otherwise take place at the Aluminij Sports Park, capacity 600, half the local population. Kidričevo developed around its aluminium factory after World War II, which is also when Aluminij were founded as a works team. Construction of the plant had begun under Nazi occupation, the conquering Partisans liberating a community then called Strnišče and transforming it into Kidričevo, named after the Slovenian Communist Party boss Boris Kidrič.
Aluminij’s badge is still a five-pointed star, the club colours red. A mass grave was later found near the aluminium factory, filled with the remains of former occupants of a concentration camp created by the Partisans as the war drew to a close.
Today’s modest settlement of Kidričevo is ranged either side of a single main road, Tovarniška cesta, that runs from the Talum aluminium factory to the south, via the railway station in between, to the clusters of little streets with a restaurant or two, a supermarket and a petrol station.
Miss the turning left off Tovarniška for the Sports Park north-west of town, and before you know it, you’ve reached the sign indicating the edge of town. Slightly further up is the M2 motorway connecting Austria with Croatia via Ljubljana.
Getting hERE
Arriving in town and local transport
Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport is 130km (81 miles) from Kidričevo and 24km (15 miles) north-west of the capital. An Arriva bus (€3-€4) runs every 30mins (Mon-Fri) and every 1-1.5hrs (Sat, Sun) to Ljubljana bus terminal (journey time 30mins), beside the train station just north of the city centre.
There’s also a regular GoOpti shuttle service that can take you to a specific address in Kidričevo for as little as €60 per person with a shared ride. Taxi društvo Ljubljana (+386 41 970 000) should charge around €40 into the capital.
One direct train a day goes to Kidričevo (€16, 2hr 15mins journey time) but you can also go via Pragersko (or Pragersko then Rače) (€14-€16) and be there in 2hrs 30-45mins – this may also require a change at Zidani Most. Trains from Ptuj (€1.80) takes 5mins, from Maribor (€3.60) 30mins, change at Pragersko (50mins-1hr) if not direct.
From Kidričevo station, a narrow path leads to main Tovarniška cesta and the modest outlets on and off it. The stadium is a 15min walk north-west. Reliable Taxi Mega (+386 51 320 003) are based at the nearest town of Ptuj 5km away.
Where to Drink
The best pubs and bars for football fans
Best choice of the four or five options is the homely Atila, 50 metres up from the smart Restavracija PAN. Friendly Emma serves the hearty regulars in this rustic bar-cum-pizzeria, Aluminij and cartoon iconography on the walls. A cosy counter operates as a bar by the dining rooms, with a terrace overlooking the main road.
You’ll find Stiegl and Tuborg on draught, plus a TV, at the Lana Kava Bar attached to the Jager supermarket before the turning for the station, where there’s a little bar on the platform.
Where to stay
The best hotels for the stadium and nearby
The only lodging in Kidričevo is the Prenočišča PAN, on Tovarniška cesta halfway between the station and the stadium. Four rooms above the restaurant of the same name feature the contemporary design of the dining areas downstairs. Two have four beds, two have balconies.
There’s far more choice in nearby Ptuj 10mins away by taxi (€20) or 5mins by train (€1.80) – the historic Hotel Ptuj in the city centre has a wine cellar, café, spa and 29 comfortable guest rooms. Nearer the Drava river, the Hotel Park comprises 15 mid-range rooms and café. For all other options in Ptuj, see here.
