This year’s W. Cup stadiums are spread over 1,800 miles, from Kaliningrad in the west, all the way to the base of the Ural Mountains. Twelve stadiums across Russia will host this year’s World Cup matches.
The largest stadium is the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, which will host the final, while the smallest is in Kaliningrad.
But what about all the others? How do they shape up ahead of the tournament?
Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow
Capacity: 81,006
Background
The stadium, which hosted the 2008 Champions League final, has been around since 1956 and has hosted numerous sporting events. Aside from Manchester United’s Champions League victory in 2008, it has also held the 1980 Olympics, the 1999 UEFA Cup final and the 2013 World Athletics Championships. In the height of the Soviet Union, it was the most important ground and was known as the Central Lenin Stadium.
Any problems?
The stadium underwent a renovation in time for this tournament and it went relatively smoothly, although a small fire broke out in October 2015. It staged an international between Russia and Argentina last year, which proved successful, although there were transport issues to and from the ground.
Legacy
The Luzhniki Stadium will continue to be the home of the Russian national team, while it should continue to host big domestic and European fixtures.
Matches
- Russia vs. Saudi Arabia, Group A, 14th June
- Germany vs. Mexico, Group F, 17th June
- Portugal vs. Morocco, Group B, 20th June
- Denmark vs. France, Group C, 26th June
- B1 vs. A2, Round of 16, 1st July
- W59 vs. W60, Semi Final, 11th July
- W61 vs. W62, Final, 15th July
Spartak Stadium, Moscow
Capacity: 43,298
Background
Spartak have never really had a home ground, but that all changed when a project was put together in the mid-2000s to construct the club a stadium. However, there were plenty of delays and arguments surrounding the ground. Eventually, it was finished in 2014, with the club finally getting a stadium in time for the W. Cup too.
Any problems?
The stadium was due to be completed before Russia’s hosting was announced, but apart from that, there’s nothing to complain about. It’s been open for four years now and has seen its fair share of football in that time.
Legacy
Spartak will continue to use the stadium as their home ground, while music concerts will continue to take place inside.
Matches
- Argentina vs. Iceland, Group D, 16th June
- Poland vs. Senegal, Group H, 19th June
- Belgium vs. Tunisia, Group B, 23rd June
- Serbia vs. Brazil, Group C, 26th June
- H1 G2, Round of 16, 3rd July
Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, Nizhny Novgorod
Capacity: 45,331
Background
This stadium was purpose built for the tournament and is one of several that have been placed on a river. Construction began in 2015, with the main architecture based by the aspects of nature in the Volga region, where it is located.
Any problems?
A fire broke out in October 2017, which caused huge levels of black smoke to rise. However, it wasn’t as bad as first thought and it had little impact on the project.
Legacy
Olimpiyets Nizhny Novgorod will play their home games there, where they’ll be hoping to attract a higher attendance than two recent home games, which saw an average of 900 people turn up.
Matches
- Sweden vs. South Korea, Group F, 18th June
- Argentina vs. Croatia, Group D, 21st June
- England vs. Panama, Group G, 24th June
- Switzerland vs. Costa Rica, Group E, 27th June
- D1 vs. C2, Round of 16, 1st July
- W49 vs. W50, Quarter Final, 6th July
Mordovia Arena, Saransk
Capacity: 44,442
Background
Saransk is the smallest of the host cities, but a stadium has been custom-built for the W. Cup, beginning as far back as 2010. It has excellent transport facilities and has been constructed in the same mould as many modern football stadiums.
Any problems?
Construction was suspended for two years between 2013 and 2015 and there was a bit of panic as it wasn’t finished until April earlier this year. It should, however, be ready to host the tournament.
Legacy
The capacity will be reduced once the tournament has finished, with local club Mordovia Saransk using it as their new home ground. They’re in Russia’s regionalised third tier and their most recent attendance was 1,128.
Matches
- Peru vs. Denmark, Group C, 16th June
- Colombia vs. Japan, Group H, 19th June
- Iran vs. Portugal, Group B, 25th June
- Panama vs. Tunisia, Group G, 28th June
Kazan Arena, Kazan
Capacity: 44,779
Background
Kazan identifies as the sporting capital of Russia and the stadium backs that claim up. It’s hugely impressive and was designed by the same architects as those who created Wembley and the Emirates. Even though it was completed in July 2013, it’s still one of the tournament’s oldest stadiums, but it’s one of the most impressive.
Any problems?
Russia vs. Iran was successful last year, while the Confederations Cup didn’t encounter any problems either.
Legacy
Rubin Kazan moved there in 2014 and will continue playing their home games at the stadium after the W. Cup. The stadium was highly expensive though, with music and cultural events expected to be held there in order to pay off the cost of construction. It could even hold Olympic events one day if the city launches a bid.
Matches
- France vs. Australia, Group C, 16th June
- Iran vs. Spain, Group B, 20th June
- Poland vs. Colombia, Group H, 24th June
- South Korea vs. Germany, Group F, 27th June
- C1 vs. D2, Round of 16, 30th June
- W53 vs. W54, Quarter Final, 6th July
Samara Arena, Samara
Capacity: 44,807
Background
Due to be named the Cosmos Arena after the tournament has finished, this stadium has been controversial, with its original location set to be on an island outside the city. That idea was rejected though and the new location in a nice green setting has been much more warmly received.
Any problems?
This stadium was arguably the worst when it came to delays and costs soared, with estimates suggesting that by 2015, it was already €40 million over its initial budget. The stadium had to be downsized, with the dome now much lower than originally desired, while a fire added to problems last August. It’s ready for the tournament, but hasn’t had much practice in hosting events.
Legacy
Krylia Sovetov are expected to move in once the tournament is finished. They’re currently in the Russian Second Division, but stand a good chance of being promoted at the end of the season. There is also residential housing expected to be built in the surrounding area of the stadium.
Matches
- Costa Rica vs. Serbia, Group E, 17th June
- Denmark vs. Australia, Group C, 21st June
- Uruguay vs. Russia, Group A, 25th June
- Senegal vs. Colombia, Group H, 28th June
- E1 vs. F2, Round of 16, 2nd July
- W55 vs. W56, Quarter Final, 7th July
Ekaterinburg Arena, Ekaterinburg
Capacity: 35,696
Background
The stadium in Ekaterinburg has also seen a renovation ahead of this summer’s tournament, which was much needed, as the stadium was first built back in 1957. It’s housed FC Ural since then and although it’s never hosted a full international football match, the Russian U21 team has played here on three occasions.
Any problems?
Lots of time was wasted on a final design and construction started late as a result. It’s a fairly eccentric design though, with two temporary stands behind each goal, which aren’t in the main stadium structure. This was seen as the most cost-effective way to increase capacity though.
Legacy
The temporary stands will be replaced at the end of the tournament, with the capacity reduced to 23,000. FC Ural are a mid-table team in the Russian Premier League, with the new capacity just about suiting them.
Matches
- Egypt vs. Uruguay, Group A, 15th June
- France vs. Peru, Group C, 21st June
- Japan vs. Senegal, Group H, 24th June
- Mexico vs. Sweden, Group F, 27th June
Saint Petersburg Stadium, Saint Petersburg
Capacity: 68,134
Background
There was plenty of controversy surrounding the construction of this stadium, with delays and soaring costs overshadowing construction. It took a decade to build and was finished eight years after the original deadline. It’s estimated to be the world’s most expensive football stadium.
Any problems?
Many, including a leaky roof, a vibrating pitch and concerns about chemicals in the materials used to finish off some of the internal structures. There’s also a lengthy walk between the stadium and the nearest train station. There were also claims of human rights abuses, with 110 North Koreans having to work in atrocious conditions while building the stadium.
Legacy
Zenit St. Petersburg have been using the stadium since 2017 and will continue to play there after the tournament has finished. Nearly 50,000 turned up for a recent match against local rivals Tosno, while it should help in making them into a European force to be reckoned with.
Matches
- Morocco vs. Iran, Group B, 15th June
- Russia vs. Egypt, Group A, 19th June
- Brazil vs. Costa Rica, Group E, 22nd June
- Nigeria vs. Argentina, Group D, 26th June
- F1 vs. E2, Round of 16, 3rd July
- 57 vs. W58, Semi Final, 10th July
- L61 vs. L62, Third Place play-off, 14th July
Kaliningrad Stadium, Kaliningrad
Capacity: 35,212
Background
The new stadium in Kaliningrad is based on Munich’s Allianz Arena and is situated in the Russian enclave between Poland and Lithuania. It’s located in a setting that was effectively a wilderness prior to this project beginning.
Any problems?
Construction of the stadium proved tricky with the grass not proving to be the best foundation to build on. There was hope of a larger capacity, but financial concerns put an end to that. The company that drew up the construction plans also went bankrupt, but despite all this, it will be ready to host the World Cup.
Legacy
The capacity will be reduced to 25,000 after the tournament and local team Baltika Kaliningrad will play there. They haven’t played in the Russian top flight for over 20 years and it could be another stadium used for concerts.
Matches
- Croatia vs. Nigeria, Group D, 16th June
- Serbia vs. Switzerland, Group E, 22nd June
- Spain vs. Morocco, Group B, 25th June
- England vs. Belgium, Group G, 28th June
Volgograd Arena, Volgograd
Capacity: 45,568
Background
It’s a new stadium for this tournament, but it’s replaced what used to be the Central Stadium, which saw Rotor Volgograd’s famous victory over Manchester United in 1995. This stadium started to take shape in 2015 and looks very different to its original.
Any problems?
Before construction began, the site had to be searched for more unexploded bombs, after some had been found from the Battle of Stalingrad in 2014. A small fire also broke out on site in June, but that was dealt with swiftly.
Legacy
Rotor, who currently sit bottom of the Russian second division will return to play their home games in the ground once the tournament has finished, but it’s very unlikely that they’ll be able to fill it to capacity.
Matches
- Tunisia vs. England, Group G, 18th June
- Nigeria vs. Iceland, Group D, 22nd June
- Saudi Arabia vs. Egypt, Group A, 25th June
- Japan vs. Poland, Group H, 28th June
Rostov Arena, Rostov-on-Don
Capacity: 45,145
Background
This new stadium was completed by Christmas last year, but it took a few attempts to get it started. Construction began in 2014, but it overran by seven months, although it is now complete and ready for the start of the tournament.
Any problems?
Like many other grounds, the ambitious plans at the beginning had to be scaled back to manage expectations. Originally, it was planned to be a truly unique stadium, but now that it’s been built, it’s hard to distinguish it from any others.
Legacy
FC Rostov, who almost produced a Leicester-like miracle two years ago, will move into the ground at the conclusion of the tournament. A wider development plan is expected, with shops, restaurants and business parks all taking shape.
Matches
- Brazil vs. Switzerland, Group E, 17th June
- Uruguay vs. Saudi Arabia, Group A, 20th June
- South Korea vs. Mexico, Group F, 23rd June
- Iceland vs. Croatia, Group D, 26th June
- G1 vs. H2, Round of 16, 2nd July
Fisht Stadium, Sochi
Capacity: 47,700
Background
This is a relatively new stadium, having only been completed in December 2013, but it’s already hosted some huge events, including the 2014 Winter Olympics and Paralympics. The stadium also held four Confederations Cup games last summer.
Any problems?
None for this tournament, but the roof had to be removed to comply with FIFA regulations. Its location is a difficulty, but it didn’t prove to be one during the Confederations Cup.
Legacy
Sochi’s only professional football team failed to make much of an impact in the third division, meaning that the stadium might not host too much activity. The capacity will be reduced once the tournament is over, but international games and training camps will be relied on to meet the maintenance cost.
Matches
- Portugal vs. Spain, Group B, 15th June
- Belgium vs. Panama, Group G, 18th June
- Germany vs. Sweden, Group F, 23rd June
- Australia vs. Peru, Group C, 26th June
- A1 vs. B2, Round of 16, 30th June
- W51 vs. W52, Quarter Final, 7th July
