Renderings of the new stadium
Featured image credit: Shymkent
Work has begun on what will be Kazakhstan’s biggest stadium and a new home for national champions FC Ordabasy.
The 35,000-seat arena in the city of Shymkent is scheduled to be completed in mid-2026.
The new stadium will be built on a 21-hectare site and replace Ordabasy’s ageing Kazhymukan Munaitpassov, which opened in the 1960s. Ordabasy became national champions for the first time in their history last season and will play in the qualification rounds of this year’s UEFA Champions League.
The location in the Bozaryk district of the city has been selected due to its access to roads and availability of land to provide large car parking areas.
Shymkent leader Gabit Syzdykbekov and Ordabasy players were present at a ceremony as work began on the project this week. Syzdykbekov has been in discussions with Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev concerning the project since mid-2023. The plan has progressed since the completion of a socio-economic development report that was completed last year.
Speaking earlier this year, Syzdykbekov said: “Recently, during my report to the head of state on the socio-economic development of the city in 2023, I explained the need for a modern stadium for the metropolis. Our president gave a specific task to begin construction of a new stadium this year.”
The site of the Kazhymukan Munaitpassov is to be turned into a sports facility for football and athletics.
Astana Arena in the nation’s capital is currently Kazakhstan’s biggest stadium with a capacity of 30,000. Ordabasy’s current stadium has a capacity of just 18,000.
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