from 1. 9. until 26. 9. 2025, Ilirija Sports Center, Ljubljana
First matches, first clubs: The beginnings of football in Ljubljana
This September, Tivoli will host an exhibition exploring the early days of football in Slovenia’s capital. After its premiere in autumn 2021 on Krakovo Embankment in Ljubljana, the exhibition returns in a refreshed format, once again taking visitors through nearly half a century of football development in the city – from its early beginnings and school clubs, to its growth, local derbies, the challenges of wartime, and the symbolic first match in liberated Ljubljana.
Today, Ljubljana is home to numerous football clubs, youth academies, and modern sports facilities. But in the early days, matches were played on meadows, makeshift pitches, and even a former racetrack. The history of football in the capital is rich and dynamic, full of stories about the enthusiasm of young players, the impact of political change, and the rise and fall of many clubs. All this is vividly presented in the exhibition First Matches, First Clubs: The Beginnings of Football in Ljubljana, curated by Dr Aleš Šafarič, head of the Sports Museum. The exhibition is displayed on panels in front of the renovated Ilirija Sports Centre.
It begins at the turn of the 20th century, when Ljubljana recorded its first football match in 1900 between members of a German gymnastics’ organization from Ljubljana and guests from Graz. Soon after, the first student and civic clubs were established. Among them, Ilirija and Primorje emerged as the most prominent, eventually becoming the leading forces in the city’s football development.
A central part of the exhibition focuses on the period following World War I, when Ljubljana became one of the key football hubs in the newly formed Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes. The founding of the Ljubljana Football Subassociation in 1920 and the opening of a new pitch near the Šiška brewery spurred local competitions and attracted notable international teams. While Ilirija dominated for years, the 1920s saw Primorje—a club formed by refugees from Italian-occupied Primorska—emerge as its main rival, resulting in the iconic Ljubljana derby.
The exhibition also shines a light on many smaller, often forgotten clubs that contributed to the city’s football culture—Jadran, Reka, Svoboda, Mars, Mladika, Korotan, and others. Despite often lacking financial resources or proper facilities, these clubs played a key role in spreading the game among various segments of the population.
The final section of the exhibition is dedicated to the Second World War. Despite the occupation, football never entirely disappeared. Many friendly and cup matches were played, and new clubs like Žabjak and Iztok emerged. Football remained one of the few forms of organized public life during this turbulent period. This era culminated in the symbolic first match in liberated Ljubljana, just days after the end of the war.
This exhibition is not only a historical overview but also a tribute to all those who, even in the most difficult times, kept the spirit of the game alive and contributed to the growth of football in Ljubljana.
The Sports Museum is continuously expanding its collection. If you have interesting football-related material and would be willing to donate it, we kindly invite you to write to us at info@muzejsporta.si or call us at +386 1 431 83 40.
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Friendly match between Ljubljana's SK Ilirija and Belgrade's BSK at the Orlovo (Plečnik) Stadium in Bežigrad in March 1935. Preserved by the Sports Museum. -
A battle in front of Maksimilijan Mihelčič – Maks' goal during the match between Zagreb's Građanski and the home team Ilirija in May 1927. Mihelčič began his career at (Ž)SK Hermes from Spodnja Šiška, transferred to Građanski in 1924, and established himself as one of the best goalkeepers in the country, representing the national team between 1925 and 1931. Preserved by the Sports Museum -
A battle in front of the goal during the match between Ilirija and Česká Technika from Brno, which visited on May 24 and 25, 1914, for the opening of the pitch at the so-called racetrack in Tivoli — the site where the Ilirija outdoor gym next to the swimming pool stands today. Preserved by the Sports Museum.
Exhibition authors
Author: Dr Aleš Šafarič
Designer and photographer: Franci Virant
Language editor: Nina Križaj
Translators: Diana Plazar, Andrej Jurij Pirnat and Alenka Ropret
Materials contributed by: Sports Museum, National Museum of Contemporary History of Slovenia, National and University Library, Geographical Museum GIAM ZRC SAZU, Football Association of Slovenia
The exhibition was made possible by: Ministry of the Economy, Tourism and Sport; City of Ljubljana