World Cup 2018: A Guide To the World Cup Stadiums in Russia

The 2018 World Cup has been given to Russia and it will be the first time Russia has ever hosted the tournament. As one of the biggest countries in the world there is plenty of space to hold the tournament. Unfortunately for the Russians, not a lot of it has been built yet. 

The Russian's bid had 14 cities included and divided those cities into five different clusters. One in the north, one in the south, one central cluster, and one Volga River cluster. The city of Yekaterinburg is featured as its own cluster as it is the only city beyond the Ural Mountains that is included.

Of these 14 cities included in the Russian proposal there will be 16 stadiums hosting matches. However, of those 16 stadia, several of them have yet to be built. Russia plans on building nine more stadiums for the 2018 World Cup, in addition to several of the stadia that are already being built. Unfortunately, in what may be a sign to come, several of these stadiums have are way behind schedule. Some of them were schedule to be open by now, and have not even had construction started on them. 

Without further ado, here is a guide to the stadiums that will be used for the 2018 World Cup, both the ones that have been built and the ones that need to be built.   

Location: 

New Zenit Stadium is located in the city of St. Petersburg. 

Year Completed: 

The stadium is currently under construction. It was originally supposed to be completed in 2008, but because of delays it will not be completed until late 2011. In January of 2009 the St. Petersburg Times reported that the private group Gazprom would no longer be building the stadium. The company decided not to invest any more money into the stadium and invest it in building a skyscraper instead. Due to this, the city hall of St. Petersburg had to take over the funding of the stadium. 

Capacity: 

60,000 spectators

Purpose Now: 

When New Zenit Stadium is completed it will be the home stadium of Russian league team Zenit St. Petersburg. 

How it will be used after the World Cup: 

Zenit St. Petersburg will continue using the stadium as their home following the World Cup. 

Additional Information:

The stadium is being built on the same ground as the former Kirov Stadium, which was demolished to make way for the new stadium. It is still unclear what the actual name of the stadium will be yet, as of now it is just referred to as New Zenit Stadium. 

Location:

Dynamo Stadium in the the Russian capital Moscow.

Year Completed:

The stadium was originally built in 1923 and opened in 1928. It is currently under reconstruction. 

Capacity: 

When the stadium first opened in 1928 it had an official capacity of 36,540 people. When the current renovations are finished, it will hold 45,000 people. 

Purpose now:

Prior to the reconstruction the stadium was the home of Russian club Dynamo Moscow. They will move back in when the renovations are complete. 

How it will be used after the World Cup:

Dynamo Moscow will continue to play in their historic stadium. In addition, as part of the renovations a whole complex is being built. The complex will include a 10,000 seat arena, a shopping and entertainment center, office buildings, apartment buildings, and a 250 room hotel. 

Additional information: 

Following the renovations the stadium will be re-named "VTB Arena Central Dynamo Stadium" after the main investor, VTB bank. 

Location:

The Luzhniki Stadium is the biggest stadium in Russia, located in Moscow. 

Year completed:

The stadium opened in 1956, but is now set to undergo renovations to add more seats before the World Cup. 

Capacity:

The current capacity is 78,360 seats, but the stadium is set to undergo additions for the World Cup. The additions will increase the capacity to 89,318 seats. 

Purpose now:

The stadium is currently shared by Russian league clubs FC Torpedo Moscow and Spartak Moscow. 

How it will be used after the World Cup:

The two football clubs will continue to share the stadium following the World Cup. The stadium will also play host to several other events and concerts as it already has. 

Additional Information:

The Luzhniki Stadium was originally built as part of the Luzhniki Olympic Complex and served as the Olympic Stadium for the 1980 Moscow Olympics. Since 2002 it has had a plastic pitch using FIFA approved FieldTurf. However, when it was chosen to host the 2008 UEFA Champions League final, a temporary natural grass surface was put in, which they will again do for the World Cup. 

Location: 

The Moscow Region Stadium will be built on the outskirts of Moscow amid a natural landscape. It will however provide close access to two Metro stations. 

Capacity:

44,257

Date to be Completed: 

It has not been announced when the stadium will be completed. 

How it will be used after the World Cup: 

It is unclear how the stadium will be used after the World Cup. 

Additional information: 

Along with the stadium there will be three training pitches and separate athletic roads put in, all for use during the World Cup. 

Location: 

Kaliningrad, a seaport city of Russia. 

Capacity: 

45,015

Date to be completed: 

Construction has yet to launch and no announcements have been made as to when the stadium will be completed. 

How it will be used after the World Cup: 

There have been on announced contingency plans for how this stadium will be used after the tournament. 

Additional information:

There is very little known information about this stadium other then where its location will be and the shape of the stadium. The stadium will have a unique "star-like" shape, and will be located on an island surrounded by the Pregolya River. It will overlook the city-centre and harbor.  

Location:

Moscow. 

Capacity: 

The stadium was originally supposed to hold 35,000 people but has since been increased to 42,000. 

Date to be completed:

Construction on the stadium was supposed to start in 2007, but as of June 2010 it had not started. Its completion date is scheduled for 2012. 

How it will be used after the World Cup: 

Upon the completion of construction, the stadium will the home of Russian soccer team Spartak Moscow, both before and after the World Cup. 

Additional information: 

In addition to the stadium, there will be an indoor arena built connected to the main structure. The stadium is being built on the site of Tushino Airport. 

Location: 

Kazan, as part of the Volga cluster. 

Capacity:

45,015

Date to be completed:

unknown. 

How it will be used after the World Cup:

Following the World Cup the stadium will become the home stadium of Rubin Kazan. 

Additional information: 

The site will be on the western edge of the Volga River and act as a gateway to the city's waterfront site. 

Location:

The city of Nizhny Novgorod, located on the Volga River. 

Capacity:

44,899

Date to be completed:

unknown

How it will be used after the World Cup:

unknown: 

Additional information: 

The stadium will be located right on the Volga river, which according to Russia will be a landmark that integrates the city and the waters edge. 

Location:

Sochi, just 150 meters from the sea

Capcity:

40,000 for the Olympics and 45,000 for the World Cup

Date to be completed:

The stadium is expected to open in 2012. 

How it will be used after the World Cup:

Following the Olympics and the World Cup the stadium will be used as a training center for the Russian Football National team. 

Additional information: 

The stadium has a very unique design, shaped like a shell. The opening faces north, providing a direct view of the Krasnaya Polyana Mountains. The stadium is located just 150 meters away from the sea providing a great setting. The buildings outside walls and roof is made of pure glass, allowing the sun to reflect off the sea and reflect off the glass walls. 

Stadium Yorosavl:

Part of the Volga cluster Stadium Yorosavl will be a 44,042 seat stadium built on the site of the home grounds of FC Shinnik Yoroslavl. The stadium will then become the new home of the football club. The stadium will be an urban center built at the city-centre. 

Stadium Samara: 

Part of the Volga cluster located in the city of Samara. The 44,918 seat stadium will be built in a truly unique location, right on the Volga and Samara rivers. According to Russia, its bold design and riverfront location will make it one of the most iconic stadiums of the World Cup. 

Stadium Volgograd: 

The city, formerly known as Stallingrad will construct a 45,015 seat stadium. The stadium will be part of an urban landscape stretching out along the Volga. It will be right near the Mamayev Mound memorial complex that commemorates the battle of Stallingrad in World War II.

Stadium Saransk: 

The city of Saransk, also part of the Volga cluster, is expecting their 45,015 seat stadium to be ready by 2012, in time to celebrate the city's millennium celebration. The stadium will be built with a new business park, instead of a sporting facility. Russia believes this stadium and the new business park will be the link that connects both sides of the city.   

Stadium Krasnodar: 

The city of Krasnodar will be in the Southern cluster. The 50,015 seat stadium will be built on the edge of the Krasnodarskoye Reservoir. It will be part of a development for turning the area into an urban recreational park. The stadium will be the landmark for the new urban park and the residential areas surrounding it. 

Stadium Rostov-on-Don

As part of the Southern cluster the stadium will be built on the left bank of the Don River. The stadium will have a capacity of 43,702 spectators. The stadium will be part of what is already a large recreational area. Great care will be taken to try and build the stadium without disturbing what is already a very popular recreational park. 

Stadium Yekaterinburg: 

The only stadium in the Ural cluster. The stadium will have a capacity of 44,130. The stadium will be a refurbishment of the old Uralmash stadium. The stadium's structure will be a tribute to the city's Asian heritage. Following the World Cup, the stadium is likely to be used as the home ground for FC Ural.