In the qualifiers they eliminated Bobby Robson's Newcastle United; losing 0–1 in Belgrade, but in rematch at St James' Park they won by Ivica Iliev's goal in regular time and reached the group stages after a penalty shoot-out.

[4] Despite being drawn in a tough group with Real Madrid (the previous year's Champions League semi-finalist), Porto (the winner of the 2002–03 UEFA Cup and the eventual winner of the competition) and Marseille (the eventual runners-up of the 2003–04 UEFA Cup).,[5] the stadium proved a tough ground for the opposition and the team did not lost a home game, playing out a 0–0 draw with Real Madrid's famous Galácticos, which included players such as Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo, Luís Figo, Roberto Carlos, Raúl and David Beckham; a 1–1 draw with Porto, led by coach José Mourinho; and Marseille, with its superstars Fabien Barthez and Didier Drogba, while playing some inspired football in the away matches at Madrid (0–1), Marseille (0–3) and Porto (1–2).

New, modern goal-posts were mounted, and brand new media boxes were constructed on top of the western stand.

[6] Partizan's Champions League game against Arsenal on 20 September, was almost postponed due to two of the stadium's floodlights failing.

[8] On 7 September 2012, Partizan Belgrade announced a sponsorship agreement between the Carlsberg Group and the club, which includes also the placement of black and white chairs on the whole stadium.

[3] The stadium has athletic trace, two grass fields, a training court with locker rooms, press center and restaurant.

Within the stadium complex is also 18 tennis courts, boxing hall, shooting range, gym, medical center and commercial area.

The capacity of the new Partizan stadium would have been approximately 38,000 seats with a modern business park filled with hotels, office buildings, tennis courts and multiplex cinema.