Russia is gearing up to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup, with the newly renovated Luzhiniki stadium in Moscow all set to bookend the event, hosting the opening match on June 14 and the final on July 15. Fifteen venues were shortlisted to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup when Russia entered its bid to host in 2009. Fast-track almost nine years, and 12 finally made the cut, with Russia boasting an impressive array of nine newly-built stadiums. The 12 venues are spread across Russia, with each hosting at least four matches as 32 nations gun for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Here's a look at all the venues that will be playing hosts.
Luzhniki Stadium (Moscow)
Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow | AFP
Capacity: 80,000
With a capacity of over 80,000, the Luzhniki Stadium is the largest of the venues for the World Cup. It is also the largest football stadium in Russia. Not one to shy away from big matches, the Luzhniki stadium was host to the 1980 Olympic games when it hosted the opening and closing ceremonies, the 1999 UEFA Cup final and the UEFA Champions League final in 2008. Having given the status of the main stadium at the FIFA World Cup 2018, Luzhniki will host seven matches featuring hosts Russia, Saudi Arabia, Germany, Mexico, Portugal, Morocco, Denmark and France. Four of the matches will be in the group stages, while the remaining three will host one round of 16 match, one semifinal and the final on July 15. After hosting the final, the Luzhniki Stadium will join the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, Olympiastadion in Berlin, Olympiastadion in Munich, Saint Denis' Stade de France and London's Wembley Stadium as the only stadiums to have hosted the FIFA World Cup final, UEFA European Cup/Champions League and featured as the main stadium at the Summer Olympics. The stadium will also open a sports museum post the World Cup.
Matches to be played:
14 June – Russia vs Saudi Arabia (Group A)
17 June – Germany vs Mexico (Group F)
20 June – Portugal vs Morocco (Group B)
26 June – Denmark vs France (Group C)
1 July – 1B vs 2A (Round of 16)
11 July – W59 vs W60 (Semifinal)
15 July – W61 vs W62 (Final)
Saint Petersburg Stadium (Saint Petersburg)
Saint Petersburg Stadium | Shutterstock
Capacity: 67,000
Situated in the western part of Krestovsky Island in Saint Petersburg, the stadium is also known as the Krestovsky Stadium and Senit Arena and is home for FC Zenit Saint Petersburg. Costing over USD 1.1 billion, it is one of the most expensive stadiums ever built and was 518 per cent over the budget and was delayed 518 per cent as well. The stadium with its spaceship-like architecture resembles that of the Toyota Stadium in Japan, having been designed by the same architecture firm―Kisho Kurokawa. Along with the Luzhniki Stadium, it is the only stadium to host seven matches at the FIFA World Cup. The stadium will host Morocco, Iran, Russia, Egypt, Brazil, Croatia, Nigeria and Argentina in four group stage matches and will also host one match from the round of 16, one semifinal and the playoff for the third place.
Matches to be played:
15 June – Morocco vs Iran (Group B)
19 June – Russia vs Egypt (Group A)
22 June – Brazil vs Croatia (Group E)
26 June – Nigeria vs Argentina (Group D)
3 July – 1F vs 2E (Round of 16)
10 July – W57 vs W58 (Semifinal)
14 July – L61 vs L62 (Third place)
Fisht Stadium (Sochi)
Fisht Stadium | Shutterstock
Capacity: 48,000
Originally built as an enclosed stadium, it was re-opened in 2016 as an open-air stadium and later hosted the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup. The roof was opened to be compliant with FIFA regulations. It has also hosted the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2014 Winter Olympics. Named after Mount Fisht, the stadium will host six matches at the FIFA World Cup featuring Portugal, Spain, Belgium, Panama, Germany, Sweden, Australia and Peru. Apart from four Group stage matches, it will also host one round of 16 match as well as one of the quarterfinals.
Matches to be played:
15 June – Portugal vs Spain (Group B)
18 June – Belgium vs Panama (Group G)
23 June – Germany vs Sweden (Group F)
26 June – Australia vs Peru (group C)
30 June – 1A vs 2B (Round of 16)
7 July – W51 vs W52 (Quarterfinal)
Ekaterinburg Arena (Yekaterinburg)
Ekaterinburg Stadium | AFP
Capacity: 35,000
Situated in the eastern part of Russia, Yekaterinburg was founded in 1723 and is the only World Cup venue that is situated in Asian Russia. From 1924 to 1991, Yekaterinburg was called Sverdlovsk, after the Communist party leader Yakov Sverdlov. It is also the same city where the last Czar Nicholas II and his family were exiled to and later shot dead in a basement. Incidentally, July 17 will mark the 100-year anniversary of their deaths. The city will host four group stage matches of the FIFA World Cup featuring Egypt, Uruguay, France, Peru, Japan, Senegal, Mexico and Sweden between June 15 and June 27. It will be a tall task for those wanting to catch matches between Yekaterinburg and Moscow, because the free World Cup train journey is about 26 hours!
Matches to be played:
15 June – Egypt vs Uruguay (Group A)
21 June – France vs Peru (Group C)
24 June – Japan vs Senegal (Group H)
27 June – Mexico vs Sweden (Group F)
Kazan Arena (Kazan)
Kazan Arena | Shutterstock
Capacity: 45,000
Equipped with the largest outside screen in Europe, the Kazan Arena hosted four matches of the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup. The stadium will be home to local club Rubin Kazan post the 2018 FIFA World Cup. The venue will host six games in total―four Group stage games, one Round of 16 and one quarterfinal. France, Australia, Iran, Spain, Poland, Colombia, Korea Republic and Germany will face off between June 16 and July 6.
Matches to be played:
16 June – France vs Australia (Group C)
20 June – Iran vs Spain (Group B)
24 June – Poland vs Colombia (Group H)
27 June – Korea Republic vs Germany (Group F)
30 June – 1C vs 2D (Round of 16)
6 July – W53 vs W54 (Quarterfinal)
Nizhny Novgorod Stadium (Nizhny Novgorod)
Nizhny Novgorod Stadium | AFP
Capacity 45,000
The Nizhny Novgorod Stadium is built on the iconic area of Spit, also known as Strelka, the natural landmark located at the confluence of the Oka and Volga rivers. The area was earlier a port for cargo ships. The stadium will host four group stage matches featuring Sweden, Korea Republic, Argentina, Croatia, England, Panama, Switzerland and Costa Rica, and will also host one round of 16 match and a quarterfinal.
Matches to be played:
18 June – Sweden vs Korea Republic (Group F)
21 June – Argentina vs Croatia (Group D)
24 June – England vs Panama (Group G)
27 June – Switzerland vs Costa Rica (Group E)
1 July – 1D vs 2C (Round of 16)
6 July – W49 vs W50 – (Quarterfinal)
Rostov Arena (Rostov-on-Don)
Rostov Arena | AFP
Capacity: 45,000
Famed for its showcasing of Cossack culture, Rostov-on-Don is situated over 3,000 km from Moscow. Post the 2018 FIFA World Cup, the stadium will be home to FC Rostov. The seating capacity will be cut to 25,000 post the World Cup. Rostov Arena will host Brazil, Switzerland, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, Korea Republic, Mexico, Iceland and Croatia across four Group Stage matches and one round of 16 tie.
Matches to be played:
17 June – Brazil vs Switzerland (Group E)
20 June – Uruguay vs Saudi Arabia (Group A)
23 June – Korea Republic vs Mexico (Group F)
26 June – Iceland vs Croatia (Group D)
2 July – 1G vs 2H (Round of 16)
Samara Arena (Samara)
Samara Arena | AFP
Capacity: 45,000
The Samara Arena is situated at the confluence of the Volga and Samara rivers. The stadium features a space-theme, reflecting the region's well known aerospace sector. Post the 2018 FIFA World Cup, the venue will be renamed Cosmos Arena and will be home to local club―Krylya Sovetov. The stadium will host Costa Rica, Serbia, Denmark, Uruguay, Russia, Senegal and Colombia in four Group stage games and will also host one round of 16 tie and a quarterfinal.
Matches to be played:
17 June – Costa Rica vs Serbia (Group E)
21 June – Denmark vs Australia (Group C)
25 June – Uruguay vs Russia (Group A)
28 June – Senegal vs Colombia (Group H)
2 July – 1E vs 2F (Round of 16)
7 July – W55 vs W56 (Quarterfinal)
Mordovia Arena (Saransk)
Mordovia Arena | AFP
Capacity: 45,000
Situated in Saransk on the flood plain of the Insar river, the Mordovia Arena was in the midst of much controversy for its striking resemblance to South Africa's FNB Stadium. Post the World Cup, the seating capacity will be cut to 28,000 and it will also host FC Mordovia Saransk in the Russian Premier League. The stadium is set to host four Group stage matches featuring Peru, Denmark, Colombia, Japan, Iran, Portugal, Panama and Tunisia.
Matches to be played:
16 June – Peru vs Denmark (Group C)
19 June – Colombia vs Japan (Group H)
25 June – Iran vs Portugal (Group B)
28 June – Panama vs Tunisia (Group G)
Volgograd Stadium (Volgograd)
Volgograd Stadium | AFP
Capacity: 45,000
Formerly known as Stalingrad, the stadium is situated on the western bank of the Volga river and was built on the site of the demolished Central Stadium. A light installation will be shown to all visitors for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. The light installation will feature the Russian perspective of major events of World War II. Volgograd was the site where the Soviets won a decisive victory over Germany and its allies in February 1943. The seating capacity will be reduced to 35,000 post the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Tunisia, England, Nigeria, Iceland, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Japan and Poland are scheduled to play in four Group stage matches.
Matches to be played:
18 June – Tunisia vs England (Group G)
22 June – Nigeria vs Iceland (Group D)
25 June – Saudi Arabia vs Egypt (Group A)
28 June – Japan vs Poland (Group H)
Spartak Stadium (Moscow)
Spartak Stadium | AFP
Capacity: 45,000
Home to FC Spartak Moscow, the Spartak Stadium is originally called Otkrytiye Arena. The exterior features hundreds of diamonds, reminiscent of a chainmail, and can change colours depending on the teams that are playing. Until the stadium was built the Spartak Moscow played its home games at the Dynamo, Luzhiniki and Lokomotiv, Khimki and Ekaterinburg stadiums. The Spartak Stadium will feature five games at the 2018 FIFA World Cup and will host Argentina, Iceland, Poland, Senegal, Belgium, Tunisia, Serbia and Brazil.
Matches to be played:
16 June – Argentina vs Iceland (Group D)
19 June – Poland vs Senegal (Group H)
23 June – Belgium vs Tunisia (Group B)
26 June – Serbia vs Brazil (Group C)
3 July – 1H vs 2G (Round of 16)
Kaliningrad Stadium (Kaliningrad)
Kaliningrad Stadium | AFP
Capacity: 35,000
While Yekaterinburg is the most easterly city to host a match at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Kaliningrad is the most westerly city to hose games. Situated on the Baltic cost, it is one of Russia's most important seaports. Also known as Arena Baltika, the stadium is a two-tier stadium and resembles the Allianz Arena. Post the World Cup, the stadium will be the home ground for FC Baltika Kaliningrad. The seating capacity will also see a downsizing of 10,000 post the World Cup. The Kaliningrad Stadium will host four Group stage matches featuring Croatia, Nigeria, Serbia, Switzerland, Spain, Morocco, England and Belgium.
Matches to be played:
16 June – Croatia vs Nigeria (Group D)
22 June – Serbia vs Switzerland (Group E)
25 June – Spain vs Morocco (Group B)
28 June – England vs Belgium (Group G)