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August 05, 2020

by James Mattone

Warzone™ Mastery: Verdansk Stadium (National Acropolis Arena)

The newly opened Stadium invites new strategies for landing, looting, attacking, and defending within this central Verdansk locale. Shadow Company blew open the roof; here’s how you dominate the whole structure and surroundings.

Warzone™ Mastery: Verdansk Stadium (National Acropolis Arena)

The newly opened Stadium invites new strategies for landing, looting, attacking, and defending within this central Verdansk locale. Shadow Company blew open the roof; here’s how you dominate the whole structure and surroundings.

August 05, 2020

by James Mattone

North of Downtown Verdansk and near the banks of the Karst River, a massive indoor post-modern multi-purpose sports arena stood idle for months, as there was no competition taking place within the Warzone… or at least, none of the sporting variety.

Enter the Shadow Company.

Blasting open the roof and its various entrances (including its parking structure), the Stadium is now an open battleground for Operators looking to survive Verdansk. Stadium only adds to the numerous points of interest that existed in central Verdansk before the Company’s explosive arrival.

This is the Stadium within Verdansk – also known as the National Acropolis Arena – the latest subject of our Warzone Mastery series.

Lay of the Land

The home field of Verdansk’s most popular sports team, the Verdansk Sparks, this stadium is known by the locals as “Verdansk Stadium,” even if a recent sponsorship officially dubbed it the “National Acropolis Arena,” or “Verdansk Center” on exterior signage.

Before the blast, this area included plenty of places to loot and explore: From the heavily wooded south end of the northern hills, to a military checkpoint built off one of the main highways.

The Stadium itself had numerous points of interest. Even closed, the gates and concourses sometimes offered Contracts and Supply Boxes. It also gained notoriety for Operators sniping from the top, as it provided incredible 360-degree field of vision of the surrounding area.

However, it all changed when the Shadow Company arrived.

Now that Stadium roof is broken, with exterior ascenders attached at multiple points to allow for ground-to-roof ascent – or safer descent – in a few seconds, the arena at large is open for inspection. 

Of major note, the Verdansk Sparks are major fans of the Call of Duty League and gifted the league prominent advertisement placements for their Championship Weekend – to be held on August 29 and 30 at callofdutyleague.com – across numerous points of interest. Treat these banner and vending machine ads as a reminder to tune into the action on that late August weekend.

With that in mind, here are 18 new points of interest to learn as you explore the fully opened Verdansk Stadium:

The first four zones are the main entrances to the stadium, one in the middle of each “side.” Along with the grand entrance at the South and another at the North, the East and West gates also include access to the parking area.

Click through below to see the five entrance places of interest:

1. West and Media Gates:

The main road across from to the Downtown Police Station (due southwest) has a large pedestrian walkway leading to the west gates. There are a few footpaths, a grassy park, and a road leading to two underground parking entrances.

2. South Gate

A paved bridge leads from the main ticket office (adjacent to the Karst River) across the park either side of the main entrance to the Stadium. Turnstiles are on either side of the entrance and steps (as well as tiered planters), and a ramp down to a parking lot to the southwest.

3. Overpass Parking Plaza East

The road from the Military Checkpoint (from East) turns left, and heads under a pedestrian overpass, and stops at the entrance to the underground parking structure. There are concrete steps up to ground level, and the overpass pillars can be used to navigate or hide near.

4. East Gate

The East Gate is far wider than most others, with individual turnstiles, and plenty of entrances to the Stadium interior. There are vent chimneys and a footpath down from the pedestrian bridge to the east. The Plaza outside this gate has fewer parking spaces, but is still dangerous and wide open to maneuver about in.

5. North Gate

This gate has steps up from a pedestrian area and the adjacent parking lot by the main road. Under the North Gate – and all gates – is a lower walkway by the base of the Stadium that runs around the perimeter of the building. The entire area is mostly open, with grass and a road, dotted trees and low cover opportunities.

The other points of interest are mostly the stadium’s massive interior, which is what you would expect from a stadium that hosts topflight football matches – both domestic and international – along with superstar-headlined concert events.

Click through here to see the rest of the new POIs within the Stadium:

6. Corner Tunnels and Parking Level 1

At each of the pitch’s four corners is a tunnel to the underground area, where those entering via the east or west garage entrances as media, players, or staff can park or take the underground road network around the pitch below the surface. There are also stairs within the concourse hallways that lead down to here.

7. Parking Level 2

While driving through the first level, there is actual parking to be found on this lower level. Note the deep recesses that may be hiding items, Supply Boxes, or enemy players. This and the first parking level are slightly below the complexity of the Verdansk International Airport’s behemoth facility, but nevertheless it is easy to get yourself – or your vehicle – lost inside of it.

8. The Pitch

Regulation sized and with goalposts included, this football (or soccer, depending on region) pitch was converted to a humanitarian and military field medic zone, with WHP and green tents, supply crates and barrels, and light towers populating the turf. All of this can be used as cover, especially against those from above on the roof or in the stands and may hide plenty of items for Operators to collect.

9. Concourse and Field Level Stands

These lower stands are accessible via the Concourse and offer the closest look at the action outside of being on the pitch itself. Across multiple tiers on the Stadium’s northeast side, numerous steel beams from the roof are strewn about. This could either serve as cover pieces or an unconventional way to move up and down seating tiers.

10. Nosebleeds

Not everyone can get a field or concourse level ticket, but true fans know that this upper ring has the best view of the action. Although there is a lack of cover from the sun or from projectiles below, the vista of the pitch and freedom of movement about is near-unrivalled, and there may be some items leftover within these concrete stands.

11. Concourse Level Hallways

The routes to-and-from various concourse-level amenities, the stands, and the pitch itself. Boxes, kiosks, stands, and more provide cover throughout the otherwise open hallways. Note two elevator shafts within the north and south hallways, and staircases throughout that lead to the Stadium’s Executive and Parking levels.

12. Burger Town (Southwest Corner)

This in-stadium Burger Town married Verdansk’s #1 fast food company with the country’s most popular football team. While getting behind the fast food joint’s counter isn’t possible, the structure breaks up this hallway with archways and eating areas completes with counters, tables, and chairs.

13. Club Bar (Southeast)

This corner bar is where premium ticket holders can grab an overly expensive, watered down drink in a souvenir glass. The bar looks out onto the pitch and includes some back areas to explore for loot or cover.

14. Team Store (Northeast)

Prior to the conflict, those in need of a jersey or scarf for matchday grabbed one here at an exorbitantly high cost. Now you can use the various displays for cover while searching for “freebies” in the form of Supply Boxes and ground items. Note the staircase leading up to the elevated North entrance, which also leads to another landing area within the Stadium before it turns into a hallway.

15. Concessions (Northwest)

Generic grub offerings and a unique floorplan define this northwest corner chow station. Like Burger Town, there is plenty of cover to take in the form of pillars, tables, and more, along with a route out to field level.

16. Executive Level Hallways

Sparser in terms of cover opportunities and potential item or Supply Boxes, these Hallways are accessible via staircases on the Concourse level or Exterior Ascenders near the East and South Gates. Multiple broken panels allow covered views out to surrounding areas, with the east side having the stadium’s Executive Suite, and the west containing the Luxury Box.

17. Executive Suite (East)

With a view towards the Karst River outside the suite, this board room does not look out onto the pitch but does include a conference table and some interesting documents plastered on cork and melamine boards. Don’t get hung up on the intel gathering for too long; there may be items and potential enemies inside.

18. Luxury Box (West)

With a view out onto the pitch through windows below one of the scoreboards, this box is the most valuable seat in the house. Come for the potential items and Contracts, stay for the incredible sightlines of the stadium’s interior.

19. Exterior Ascenders and Roof

Four of these new Exterior Ascenders exist: one on the northwest and one on the northeast corners up to the roof, and two leading into the Executive Hallways near the southeast and southwest corners respectively. Expect 360-degree views of the surrounding area – and into the pitch – up here, but zero opportunities for items and Contracts in exchange.

Top Ten Tips

In summary, here’s what you need to know about surviving in the Stadium, from landing and looting to attacking and defending:

10. Bullseye! When dropping here, consider angling yourself so that you fall into the open dome, then pull the chute to land safely on the upper deck, pitch or, if you’re skilled enough, right into the main concourse or tunnels. This can be done more easily by disabling the automatic parachute deployment setting in the Options menu… But just remember to pull your chute!

9. The Verdansk Stadium Clean-Up Crew. Plenty of Supply Boxes and loose weapons, ammo, and more can be found on every single level of this Stadium. Leave no tent, seat, parking space, or bathroom stall unchecked, especially if you hear that sweet, sweet hum.

8. Field of View. The actual grounds of the stadium have a multitude of engagement opportunities. On the pitch, the tents offer CQB opportunities and across the pitch or in the stands, mid-range fights can occur. And, no matter where you are inside here, always be on the lookout for those sniper glints, as there are plenty of sightlines from literally anywhere that surrounds this turf field.

7. The Long Corridor. Although it may be at an angle, the Stadium’s open concept allows for medium to large engagements within the concourse levels. Prepare to take cover or engage around the bends as you traverse through the hallways.

6. Food (and Team Store) Fight! The Club Bar, Concessions Stands, and Team Store all have counters or other large objects to take cover behind and are more suited for CQB engagements. If you drop here with an closer quarters loadout, you may find more success in your skirmishes.

5. Dude, Where’s My Vehicle? The parking structure can hold plenty of loot and offer prime access to the pitch, but you can get lost there. Consult your Tac Map and consider using Battle Hardened to mitigate tactical equipment from disorienting your squad.

4. Rooftop Drop. New Exterior Ascenders allow for better accessibility towards those phenomenal longshot opportunities, or to pick off players within the dome. If this is part of your strategy, bear that in mind that you may have more company now.

3. Executive Suite Life. The executive-level suites and concourse have fantastic views to the outside and out onto the pitch. Consider these great for long-range duels with more limited sightlines in exchange for overhead and overall better cover.

2. Don’t Forget the Past. Although the newly-opened Stadium is our focus, there are still plenty of surrounding points of interest – the forest, fumigation warehouse, and more – that continue to play a role in this section of Verdansk.

1. Watch the Match Elsewhere. Although you can’t literally watch the action at Stadium from another point on the map, keep in mind new locales tend to be super-popular drop zones after their introduction. Unless you are prepared for potential Superstore-level population counts at the start of a match, consider landing elsewhere and later arrive at Stadium well-equipped for the ensuing engagements.

For a more in-depth look at Verdansk, check out our Warzone Official Strategy Guide, which features an interactive Tac Map with over 300 points of interest – including the ones at the Stadium – along with tips that span from the initial infil to the Gulag.

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