Morski Związkowy Klub Sportowy Arka Gdynia () is a professional
football
Football is a family of team sports that involve, to varying degrees, kick (football), kicking a football (ball), ball to score a goal (sports), goal. Unqualified, football (word), the word ''football'' generally means the form of football t ...
club based in
Gdynia
Gdynia is a city in northern Poland and a seaport on the Baltic Sea coast. With an estimated population of 257,000, it is the List of cities in Poland, 12th-largest city in Poland and the second-largest in the Pomeranian Voivodeship after Gdańsk ...
,
Poland
Poland, officially the Republic of Poland, is a country in Central Europe. It extends from the Baltic Sea in the north to the Sudetes and Carpathian Mountains in the south, bordered by Lithuania and Russia to the northeast, Belarus and Ukrai ...
, that plays in the
Ekstraklasa
(; meaning "Extra Class" in Polish), officially known as PKO Bank Polski Ekstraklasa due to its Sponsor (commercial), sponsorship by PKO Bank Polski, is a professional association football league in Poland and the highest level of the Polish foo ...
after winning the
2024–25 I liga. The club was founded as Klub Sportowy Gdynia in 1929.
History
The history of Arka dates back to 1929, when a group of workers of the
Port of Gdynia
Port of Gdynia is a Polish seaport located on the western shore of Gdańsk Bay, Baltic Sea, in Gdynia. Founded in 1926, in 2008 it ranked second in intermodal container
An intermodal container, often called a shipping container, or a frei ...
founded ''Klub Sportowy (Sports Club) Gdynia'' (abbreviated KS Gdynia). In 1932, a new stadium of KS was opened at ''Polanka Redłowska''. This location was used by the club until 2000. In 1934, ''Klub Sportowy Kotwica'' (Sports Club Anchor) was registered. Both team existed until 1939.
In 1949, ''Rybacki Klub Sportowy ("Fishermen Sports Club") MIR'' was formed. Three years later, its name was changed to ''Klub Sportowy Kolejarz-Arka Gdynia''. In 1953, the team for the first time won promotion to the third level of Polish football. In 1959, Arka's U-19 became Polish runner-up, and in 1960, after a dramatic game vs.
Hutnik Kraków, Arka won promotion to the Second Division.
In 1964, Arka merged with Doker Gdynia, to form Morski Związkowy Klub Sportowy (MZKS; "Maritime United Sports Club") Gdynia. In 1972, its name was changed into Arka. Two years later Arka won promotion to the
Ekstraklasa
(; meaning "Extra Class" in Polish), officially known as PKO Bank Polski Ekstraklasa due to its Sponsor (commercial), sponsorship by PKO Bank Polski, is a professional association football league in Poland and the highest level of the Polish foo ...
. Relegated after one year, Arka returned to the top level in 1976. In 1979 Arka, managed by
Czesław Boguszewicz, became the first team from Polish
Baltic Sea
The Baltic Sea is an arm of the Atlantic Ocean that is enclosed by the countries of Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Russia, Sweden, and the North European Plain, North and Central European Plain regions. It is the ...
coast to win the
Polish Cup
The Polish Cup in Association football, football ( ) is an annual Single-elimination tournament, knockout football competition for Polish football club (association football), football clubs, held continuously since 1950, and is the second most i ...
. In the final game, which took place in
Lublin
Lublin is List of cities and towns in Poland, the ninth-largest city in Poland and the second-largest city of historical Lesser Poland. It is the capital and the centre of Lublin Voivodeship with a population of 336,339 (December 2021). Lublin i ...
, Arka beat
Wisła Kraków 2–1. In its
UEFA Cup Winners' Cup
The UEFA Cup Winners' Cup was a European association football, football club competition contested annually by the winners of domestic cup competitions. The competition's official name was originally the European Cup Winners' Cup; it was renam ...
debut, Arka lost to Bulgarian side
PFC Beroe Stara Zagora
Professional Football Club Beroe Stara Zagora, better known as just Beroe (), is a Bulgarian professional association football club based in Stara Zagora, that competes in the Bulgarian First Professional League, First League, the top division o ...
(3–2, 0–2).
In 1982, Arka was relegated from the top level, to return there in 2005. In the
1982 World Cup in
Spain
Spain, or the Kingdom of Spain, is a country in Southern Europe, Southern and Western Europe with territories in North Africa. Featuring the Punta de Tarifa, southernmost point of continental Europe, it is the largest country in Southern Eur ...
, Arka's
Janusz Kupcewicz was among top players of Polish national team, which won bronze medal.
In the 1980s and 1990s, Arka played either in the third or second division, with a number of promotions and relegations. In 2001, after six years in the third level, Arka again won promotion to the second division, and in 2005, the team returned to Ekstraklasa.
In 2011, the City of Gdynia completed the construction of a new
stadium
A stadium (: stadiums or stadia) is a place or venue for (mostly) outdoor sports, concerts, or other events and consists of a field or stage completely or partially surrounded by a tiered structure designed to allow spectators to stand or sit ...
, located on Olimpijska Street. On 19 February 2011, Arka tied 1–1 with
Beroe Stara Zagora in a friendly game to commemorate the opening of their new venue. That year, Arka were relegated from the top level.
In 2016, Arka was promoted to the top level again after taking first place in the I liga. Soon after getting promoted, Arka won the
Polish Cup
The Polish Cup in Association football, football ( ) is an annual Single-elimination tournament, knockout football competition for Polish football club (association football), football clubs, held continuously since 1950, and is the second most i ...
for the second time, and the
Polish Super Cup
The Polish Super Cup (, ) is an annually held match between the champions of the Ekstraklasa and the Polish Cup winners or, if the Ekstraklasa champions also win the Polish Cup, the Cup's runners-up. As of 2024, the Polish Super Cup has been ...
twice: in 2017 and 2018.
Honours
*
I liga
I liga (, ), currently named Betclic I liga due to its sponsorship by Betclic, is the men's second professional association football division of the Polish football league system, below the Ekstraklasa and above the II liga via promotion/rel ...
**Champions:
2015–16,
2024–25
*
Polish Cup
The Polish Cup in Association football, football ( ) is an annual Single-elimination tournament, knockout football competition for Polish football club (association football), football clubs, held continuously since 1950, and is the second most i ...
**Winners: 1978–79,
2016–17
**Runners-up:
2017–18,
2020–21
*
Polish Super Cup
The Polish Super Cup (, ) is an annually held match between the champions of the Ekstraklasa and the Polish Cup winners or, if the Ekstraklasa champions also win the Polish Cup, the Cup's runners-up. As of 2024, the Polish Super Cup has been ...
**Winners:
2017
2017 was designated as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development by the United Nations General Assembly.
Events January
* January 1 – Istanbul nightclub shooting: A gunman dressed as Santa Claus opens fire at the ...
,
2018
Events January
* January 1 – Bulgaria takes over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, after the Estonian presidency.
* January 4 – SPLM-IO rebels loyal to Chan Garang Lual start a raid against Juba, capital of ...
*Youth teams
**
Polish U-19 Championship
***Champions: 2012
*** Runners-up: 1956, 2013
*** Third place: 2009
**
Polish U-17 Championship
*** Runners-up: 2010
League participation
By tier:
*
Ekstraklasa
(; meaning "Extra Class" in Polish), officially known as PKO Bank Polski Ekstraklasa due to its Sponsor (commercial), sponsorship by PKO Bank Polski, is a professional association football league in Poland and the highest level of the Polish foo ...
: 1974–75, 1976–82, 2005–07, 2008–11, 2016–20, 2025–
*
I liga
I liga (, ), currently named Betclic I liga due to its sponsorship by Betclic, is the men's second professional association football division of the Polish football league system, below the Ekstraklasa and above the II liga via promotion/rel ...
: 1961–62 (2 seasons), 1964–68, 1969–74, 1975–76, 1982–84, 1985–87, 1988–89, 1992–95, 2001–05, 2007–08, 2011–16; 2020–25
*
II liga: 1954–60 (7 seasons), 1962–64, 1968–69, 1984–85, 1987–88, 1989–92, 1995–2001
Fans

Arka is one of the most supported clubs in Poland, drawing in support from mostly across
Pomerania
Pomerania ( ; ; ; ) is a historical region on the southern shore of the Baltic Sea in Central Europe, split between Poland and Germany. The central and eastern part belongs to the West Pomeranian Voivodeship, West Pomeranian, Pomeranian Voivod ...
. Outside the
Tricity, Arka has fan-clubs in all major cities and towns in the region, such as
Tczew
Tczew (, formerly ) is a city on the Vistula River in the Pomeranian Voivodeship, in northern Poland, with 59,111 inhabitants (December 2021). It is the capital of Tczew County and the largest city of the ethnocultural region of Kociewie within th ...
,
Wejherowo
Wejherowo (; formerly ) is a city in Gdańsk Pomerania, northern Poland, with 48,735 inhabitants (2021). It has been the capital of Wejherowo County in Pomeranian Voivodeship since 1999; previously, it was a city in Gdańsk Voivodeship (1975–199 ...
,
Braniewo
Braniewo () (, , Old Prussian language, Old Prussian: ''Brus''), is a town in northern Poland, in Warmia, in the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship, with a population of 16,907 as of June 2021. It is the capital of Braniewo County.
Braniewo is the seco ...
and
Kościerzyna
Kościerzyna (; Pomeranian language, Pomeranian and ; former ) is a town in Kashubia in Gdańsk Pomerania region, northern Poland, with 23,327 inhabitants as of June 2023. It has been the capital of Kościerzyna County in Pomeranian Voivodeship si ...
for example, as well as fan-clubs in places further away such as
Zakopane
Zakopane (Gorals#Language, Podhale Goral: ''Zokopane'') is a town in the south of Poland, in the southern part of the Podhale region at the foot of the Tatra Mountains. From 1975 to 1998, it was part of Nowy Sącz Voivodeship; since 1999, it has ...
and
Lublin Voivodeship
Lublin Voivodeship ( ) is a Voivodeships of Poland, voivodeship (province) of Poland, located in the southeastern part of the country, with its capital being the city of Lublin.
The region is named after its largest city and regional capital, Lu ...
, and even two fan-clubs in Germany set up by expatriate Arka fans, in
Oberhausen
Oberhausen (, ) is a city on the river Emscher in the Ruhr Area, Germany, located between Duisburg and Essen ( ). The city hosts the International Short Film Festival Oberhausen and its Gasometer Oberhausen is an anchor point of the European Rout ...
and
Stuttgart
Stuttgart (; ; Swabian German, Swabian: ; Alemannic German, Alemannic: ; Italian language, Italian: ; ) is the capital city, capital and List of cities in Baden-Württemberg by population, largest city of the States of Germany, German state of ...
.
The fans have an alliance with fans of
Cracovia and
Lech Poznań
Kolejowy Klub Sportowy Lech Poznań S.A., commonly referred to as KKS Lech Poznań or simply Lech Poznań (), is a Polish professional football club based in Poznań and currently competing in the Ekstraklasa, the nation's highest division.
...
, and the three are known as "The Great Triad" (''Wielka Triada''). Fans of
Lechia Gdańsk
Lechia Gdańsk () is a Polish football (soccer), football club based in Gdańsk. As of the 2025–26 Ekstraklasa, 2025–26 season, they compete in the Ekstraklasa.
The club was founded in 1945 by people Polish population transfers (1944–1946 ...
,
Śląsk Wrocław
Wrocławski Klub Sportowy Śląsk Wrocław Spółka Akcyjna, commonly known as WKS Śląsk Wrocław (), is a Polish professional Association football, football club based in Wrocław that plays in , the second level of the Polish football leagu ...
and
Wisła Kraków also share a friendship called "The Three Kings of Great Cities" (''Trzej Królowie Wielkich Miast'') and any match between the two alliances is a considered a big rivalry.
Arka fans maintain alliances with several other fans aside from Cracovia and Lech, many of them lasting now for decades: fans of
Zagłębie Lubin
Zagłębie Lubin S.A. () is a Polish professional association football, football club based in Lubin. Founded in 1945 as ''OMTUR Lubin'', the club competes in the Ekstraklasa.
History
The football team was founded in 1945 as OMTUR Lubin by lo ...
(since 1983),
Gwardia Koszalin (since 1989), and
KSZO Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski (since 2004) are all considered good friends. The friendship with
Polonia Bytom fans dates back to 1974, and is one of the longest friendships in supporter history which has survived to date.
The greatest rival or Arka is
Lechia Gdańsk
Lechia Gdańsk () is a Polish football (soccer), football club based in Gdańsk. As of the 2025–26 Ekstraklasa, 2025–26 season, they compete in the Ekstraklasa.
The club was founded in 1945 by people Polish population transfers (1944–1946 ...
, a team with whom they contest the so-called
Tricity Derby or Pomeranian Derby. Fans of both teams remain venomously hostile and since the early 1970s the history of games between Arka and Lechia is marked by riots and violence. Relations with another Gdynia football team
Bałtyk Gdynia
Bałtyk Gdynia is a Polish football club from Gdynia. The club is named after the Baltic Sea. They currently compete in the IV liga Pomerania, the fifth tier of Polish league competition.
History
The club was established in 1930 by football e ...
used to be friendly until the 1980s, when they turned hostile. Due to Bałtyk's successive relegations and their declining numbers of fans this rivalry is now of lesser importance.
Players
Current squad
Out on loan
Retired numbers
Managers
*
Ferdinand Fritsch (1950)
*
Herman May (1953)
*
Czesław Bartolik (1954–1955)
*
Tadeusz Foryś (1956)
*
Jan Gazur (1957–1958)
*
Edward Kołpa (1959)
*
Roman Sawecki (1960)
*
Henryk Serafin (1961)
*
Piotr Nierychło (1962)
*
Stanisław Malon (1962–1963)
*
Józef Barbachen (1963–1964)
*
Edward Brzozowski (1964–1965)
*
Grzegorz Polakow (1965–1971)
*
Jerzy Słaboszowski (1971–1975)
*
Stefan Żywotko (1975–1976)
*
Konrad Araucz (1976–1977)
*
Janusz Pekowski (1977)
*
Jerzy Steckiw (1977–1979)
*
Czesław Boguszewicz (1979–1980)
*
Stanisław Stachura (1980–1981)
*
Grzegorz Polakow (1981-198x)
*
Zbigniew Strzelecki (198x-198x)
*
Konrad Araucz (198x-198x)
*
Zbigniew Strzelecki (198x-198x)
*
Andrzej Trywiański (198x-198x)
*
Janusz Inżyński (198x-198x)
*
Adam Adamus (198x-198x)
*
Krzysztof Szkoda (198x-198x)
*
Andrzej Bikiewicz (198x-1987)
*
Jerzy Jastrzębowski (1987–1989)
*
Andrzej Bikiewicz (1989-19xx)
*
Mieczysław Rajski (19xx-1991)
*
Jacek Dziubiński (1991–1993)
*
Ryszard Lipiński (1993)
*
Stanisław Stachura (1993)
*
Jacek Dziubiński ()
*
Grzegorz Witt (1994–1995)
*
Grzegorz Polakow (1994–1995)
*
Grzegorz Witt (1994–1995)
*
Jacek Dziubiński ()
*
Marian Geszke (1995)
*
Ryszard Lipiński (1995–1996)
*
Jacek Dziubiński (1995–1996)
*
Jarosław Kotas (1996–1997)
*
Andrzej Bussler (1996–1998)
*
Jacek Dziubiński (1998–1999)
*
Wojciech Niedźwiedzki (1998–1999)
*
Stanisław Stachura (1999–2000)
*
Mieczysław Gierszewski (2000–2001)
*
Wiesław Pisarski (2001)
*
Marek Kusto (2001–2003)
*
Mieczysław Rajski (2003–2004)
*
Piotr Mandrysz
Piotr Mandrysz (born 21 September 1962) is a Polish professional Manager (association football), football manager and former Football player, player who played as a Defender (association football), defender.
References
1962 births
Livi ...
(2003–2004)
*
Wojciech Wąsikiewicz (2003–2004)
*
Mirosław Dragan (2004–2005)
*
Wojciech Wąsikiewicz (2005–2006)
*
Zbigniew Kaczmarek (2006)
*
Wojciech Stawowy (2006–2007)
*
Robert Jończyk (2007–2008)
*
Czesław Michniewicz
Czesław Michniewicz (; born 12 February 1970) is a Polish professional football manager and former player who most recently managed Botola Pro side AS FAR. He managed the Poland national team in 2022.
Managerial career Early years
In Septemb ...
(2008–2009)
*
Marek Chojnacki (2009)
*
Dariusz Pasieka (2009–2011)
*
František Straka (2011)
*
Petr Němec (2011–2012)
*
Paweł Sikora (2012–2014)
*
Piotr Rzepka (2014)
*
Dariusz Dźwigała (2014)
*
Grzegorz Niciński (2014–2017)
*
Leszek Ojrzyński (2017–2018)
*
Zbigniew Smółka (2018–2019)
*
Jacek Zieliński (2019)
*
Aleksandar Rogić (2019–2020)
*
Krzysztof Sobieraj (2020)
*
Ireneusz Mamrot (2020)
*
Dariusz Marzec (2020–2021)
*
Ryszard Tarasiewicz (2021–2022)
*
Hermes
Hermes (; ) is an Olympian deity in ancient Greek religion and mythology considered the herald of the gods. He is also widely considered the protector of human heralds, travelers, thieves, merchants, and orators. He is able to move quic ...
(2022–2023)
*
Ryszard Wieczorek (2023)
*
Wojciech Łobodziński (2023–2024)
*
Tomasz Grzegorczyk (''interim'') (2024)
*
Dawid Szwarga (2024–''present'')
Arka in Europe
See also
*
Football in Poland
References
External links
*
"Arkowcy"– fan site
Statistical history
{{Coord, 54, 29, 35.29, N, 18, 31, 52.37, E, display=title
Association football clubs established in 1929
1929 establishments in Poland
Sports clubs and teams in Gdynia
Football clubs in Pomeranian Voivodeship