Features

VTB Arena Park stages first events

Moscow’s VTB Arena Park, a unique facility combining a stadium and arena under one roof, has staged its first major event.

The project has suffered delays after the old Central Dynamo Stadium on the site was closed for demolition back in 2008. It has since undergone substantial changes in the design vision after originally being targeted as a host venue for Russia’s staging of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

While the stadium side of VTB Arena Park will host its first event later this year, VTB Arena has commenced operations with a production of the ice show Swan Lake which ran from December 20-31. Its first sports event is due to take place on Friday when Dynamo Moscow takes on Avtomobilist in ice hockey’s Kontinental Hockey League. The arena can hold up to 14,000 people.

The stadium, which has been renamed Central Stadium Dynamo named after Lev Yashin in honour of the legendary Russian goalkeeper who played his entire club career for Dynamo, is an open-air facility with a capacity of 26,121 for football matches and 33,000 for concerts. The first football match between Dynamo and local rival Spartak has been scheduled for March 10.

The stadium includes underground parking for 719 cars. On the sixth floor of the facility there is a 380-seat fine dining restaurant, which provides a view of both the stadium and arena. The first floor of the facility is occupied by the Arena Plaza shopping centre.