World Cup Stadium Guide

Russian World Cup Stadiums

Each stadium was assigned a group before the World Cup draw with each round of matches already uniquely mapped out. Check out our World Cup guide for the latest fixtures and scores.

We will see games played in established stadiums such as the Luzhniki and Zenit’s, St. Petersburg arena as well as a host of brand-new stadia built especially for the tournament.

To discover the latest prices for the World Cup games here. Plus you can view the World Cup Stadiums through the years with our timeline infographic.

Luzhniki Stadium

Capacity: 81.006

Location: Moscow

Team: None

Fixtures:

• 14 June 2018 18:00 – Russia vs Saudi Arabia – Group A
• 17 June 2018 18:00 – Germany vs Mexico – Group F
• 20 June 2018 15:00 – Portugal vs Morocco – Group B
• 26 June 2018 17:00 – Denmark vs France – Group C
• 1 July 2018 17:00 – 1B vs 2A – Round of 16
• 11 July 2018 21:00 – W59 vs W60 – Semi Final
• 15 July 2018 18:00 – W61 vs W62 – Final

The Luzhniki Stadium is the centre-piece of Moscow’s sporting complex on the arc of the Moscow River.

The stadium was demolished in 2013 as Russia got ready to host the World Cup. The self-supported cover was retained as well as the façade. It now has a capacity of 81,000 and sits 7km from the city centre.

It was once called the Grand Sports Arena which is still as appropriate today due to its renewed regal appearance.

The Luzhniki was the home to Spartak Moscow for many years. But is now solely used by the national team since its redevelopment.

The weather in Moscow will typically see highs of 22 degrees and lows of 12 degrees but could see rain in July.

For the tourist the city has the famous Red Square, St. Basil’s Cathedral and the iconic Kremlin Palace if you want to visit some cultural reference points.

Saint Petersburg Stadium

Capacity: 67,000

Location: Saint Petersburg

Team: Zenit

Fixtures:

• 15 June 2018 17:00 – Morocco vs Iran – Group B
• 19 June 2018 21:00 – Russia vs Egypt – Group A
• 22 June 2018 15:00 – Brazil vs Costa Rica – Group E
• 26 June 2018 21:00 – Nigeria vs Argentina – Group D
• 3 July 2018 17:00 – 1F vs 2E – Round of 16
• 10 July 2018 21:00 – W57 vs W58 – Semi Final
• 14 July 2018 17:00 – L61 vs L62 – Third Place

One of many new stadiums constructed with the World Cup in mind. Work first started on a reconstruction in 2008. The initial plan was to have the stadium ready a year later but a series of problems including a redesign to comply with FIFA requirements delayed the process.

The Saint Petersburg Stadium was finally opened in 2017. The stadium designed by Japanese architect Kisho Kurokawa resembles a spaceship with the roof supported by four masts.

It’s taken inspiration from the Japanese Toyota Stadium designed by the same people.

The venue is located on the western tip of Krestovsky Island in the north-west of the city. The stadium is 7.5km away from the famed Palace Square in St. Petersburg.

It’s sat surrounding the Bolshaya Neva River, drawing comparisons with the Luzhniki Stadium.

You could expect highs of between 20 to 23 degrees throughout the tournament.

One of the most idyllic of the host cities, St. Petersburg is punctuated by its flowing canals. The Moyka River and Fontanka River cut right through some of the city’s must-see architecture.

You can also check out the Peterhof Palace which will be a tourist hotspot in the summer.

Fisht Stadium

Capacity: 48,000

Location: Sochi

Team: None (Olympic Stadium)

Fixtures:

• 15 June 2018 21:00 – Portugal vs Spain – Group B
• 18 June 2018 18:00 – Belgium vs Panama – Group G
• 23 June 2018 18:00 – Germany vs Sweden – Group F
• 26 June 2018 17:00 – Australia vs Peru – Group C
• 30 June 2018 21:00 – 1A vs 2B – Round of 16
• 7 July 2018 21:00 – W51 vs W52 – Quarter Final

The Fisht Stadium in Sochi was opened in 2013 in preparation for the Winter Olympics in 2014.

However, despite building such a centre-piece in the city it had lacked a purpose following the Games.

It reopened in 2017 to host a quartet of matches at the Confederations Cup and was also selected for the World Cup.

They have boosted capacity for the event though with the roof being opened up allowing for 6,000 more seats.

Given the stadium was built as part of a major redevelopment for the Winter Olympics there are host of bars, restaurants and hotels that may now become a little more populated as we see fans from all over the world head to Russia.

The weather in Sochi could be some of the hottest during the tournament with current temperature’s reaching as high as 29 degrees in June.

If you have some time out from the football you can visit Sochi’s beaches, Agura waterfalls and Zoo. Sochi was also home to Stalin’s summer retreat – for the history buffs amongst you!

Ekaterinburg Arena

Capacity: 45,000

Location: Yekaterinburg

Team: FC Ural

Fixtures:

• 15 June 2018 17:00 – Egypt vs Uruguay – Group A
• 21 June 2018 17:00 – France vs Peru – Group C
• 24 June 2018 20:00 – Japan vs Senegal – Group H
• 27 June 2018 19:00 – Mexico vs Sweden – Group F

The newly-branded Ekaterinburg Stadium was officially re-opened in 2015 upon completion of its World Cup renovation.

The arena is home to Russian Premier League club FC Ural but capacity has been boosted with temporary seating behind the goal.

However, this will be reduced to 35,000 after the tournament.

The stadium is embedded in the east of the city of Yekaterinburg but quite some distance from the city’s main train station (4km).

It is situated on the border of Europe and Asia, 1,600km east of Moscow and near the northern border of Kazakhstan.

It’s located in a busy neighbourhood, with the city-centre a 30-minute walk away. Most modern bars and restaurants are east of the river Iset around Malysheva Street and Lenin Avenue.

You can expect temperatures to reach highs of over 20 degrees especially as July nears.

Kazan Arena

Capacity: 45,000

Location: Kazan

Team: Rubin Kazan

Fixtures:

• 16 June 2018 13:00 – France vs Australia – Group C
• 20 June 2018 21:00 – Iran vs Spain – Group B
• 24 June 2018 21:00 – Poland vs Colombia – Group H
• 27 June 2018 17:00 – Korea Republic vs Germany – Group F
• 30 June 2018 17:00 – 1C vs 2D – Round of 16
• 6 July 2018 21:00 – W53 vs W54 – Quarter Final

The Kazan arena was built to provide Rubin with a modern home and serve as a main venue for the 2013 Universiade. In other words the University Olympics.

Although going through many reconstructions Kazan have played their home continuously games here since 2013. It has also hosted the 2015 Aquatics World Championships and the 2017 Confederations Cup.

It’s situated in a regenerated area on the banks of river Kazanka, which mainly consists of large apartment blocks.

However, if you’re looking for Kazan’s finest eateries then you should venture into the city centre.

As well as authentic Russian cuisine there is an eclectic selection of restaurants from around the globe.

Kazan also has its own citadel if any travelling fans want to take in the culture.

The city has a humid continental temperature you can expect a warm, dry summer hitting up to 25 degrees.

Nizhny Novgorod Stadium

Capacity: 45, 000

Location: Nizhny Novgorod

Team: FC Olimpiyets

Fixtures:

• 18 June 2018 15:00 – Sweden vs Korea Republic – Group F
• 21 June 2018 21:00 – Argentina vs Croatia – Group D
• 24 June 2018 15:00 – England vs Panama – Group G
• 27 June 2018 21:00 – Switzerland vs Costa Rica – Group E
• 1 July 2018 21:00 – 1D vs 2C – Round of 16
• 6 July 2018 17:00 – W49 vs W50 – Quarter Final

The Nizhny Novgorod stadium has replaced the Lokomotiv Stadium as home to FC Olimpiyets following its official opening in April 2018.

They finished in 12^th place in the Russian second division.

The arena’s design has been inspired by the nature of the Volga region and consists of a semi-transparent façade that you could expect to be lit up during night games.

Its located on the west bank of the river Volga where the Oka and Volga rivers come together.

Less than 3 kilometres from Nizhny’s historical heart and the Kremlin on the other side of the Oka river, and less than 2 kilometres from Nizhny’s main railway station (Moskovsky) on the same side of the Oka.

Nizhny Novgorod Stadium is located on the rural banks of the river Volga just outside of the city centre.

It is a fairly quiet area that mainly consists of residential buildings, but right next door there is a large shopping centre with various places to get something to eat.

However, most will eat and drink in Nizhny Novgorod’s picturesque city centre on the other bank of the river.

The region is very tourist friendly as you’ll be able to walk from most central locations. Being close to Kazan means June and July reach highs of around 25 degrees.

Rostov Arena

Capacity: 45,000

Location: Rostov-on-Don

Team: FC Rostov

Fixtures:

• 17 June 2018 21:00 – Brazil vs Switzerland – Group E
• 20 June 2018 18:00 – Uruguay vs Saudi Arabia – Group A
• 23 June 2018 21:00 – Korea Republic vs Mexico – Group F
• 26 June 2018 21:00 – Iceland vs Croatia – Group D
• 2 July 2018 21:00 – 1G vs 2H – Round of 16

The newly-built stadium in Rostov will primarily host the group-stage matches at the World Cup.

It was officially opened in April 2018 along with all the other purpose-built stadia. Russian Premier League club FC Rostov will now call it home after switching from their Olimp-2 arena.

This is to be the first in a regeneration of the city centre sitting on the southern bank of the Don River.

Rostov is very industrial and barren in some areas. But there are plans to build shopping and dining destinations whilst using the stadium as a focal point to attract new investment.

Nonetheless, it’s best to venture along the footbridge over the Don River for a better selection of food and drink including American, Italian and other European dining.

Samara Arena

Capacity: 45,000

Location: Samara

Team: Krylia Sovetov

Fixtures:

• 17 June 2018 16:00 – Costa Rica vs Serbia – Group E
• 21 June 2018 19:00 – Denmark vs Australia – Group C
• 25 June 2018 18:00 – Uruguay vs Russia – Group A
• 28 June 2018 18:00 – Senegal vs Colombia – Group H
• 2 July 2018 18:00 – 1E vs 2F – Round of 16
• 7 July 2018 18:00 – W55 vs W56 – Quarter Final

Krylia Sovetov will be playing their football in the Russian top flight next season in this brand new stadium.

FC Krylia moved from their Metallurg Stadium which had been their home since 1965.

The most innovative aspect of the stadium which sets it apart from the rest is its 65.5-metre high domed roof.

The stadium was built in amongst a dense forest so appears a little underdeveloped.

There’s some retail and cinema complex on the road leading to the stadium but it’s worth venturing to Samara’s city centre along the Volga river embankment to find your pre and post-match meals.

The transport links are also untested so give yourself plenty of leeway before kick-off.

However, for a more tourist-like experience, you can travel to nearby Kazan or Ufa.

Samara’s humidity levels are higher in summer than many Russian cities. This is due to the precipitation levels with lying so close to the Volga river. You will probably see the temperature reach a high of 25-26 degrees.

Mordovia Arena

Capacity: 45,000

Location: Saransk

Team: Mordovia Saransk

Fixtures:

• 16 June 2018 19:00 – Peru vs Denmark – Group C
• 19 June 2018 18:00 – Colombia vs Japan – Group H
• 25 June 2018 21:00 – Iran vs Portugal – Group B
• 28 June 2018 21:00 – Panama vs Tunisia – Group G

Built solely for the World Cup finals but will be the new home of Russian top-flight club Mordovia Saransk.

The club have moved just 700 metres from the sparse 11,000 capacity Start Stadium over the Insar River to 45,000-seater Mordovia Arena. However, this will be reduced to 28,000 from the end of July.

The main railway station lies a little further north but is still only thirty-minute walk away.

Saransk’s Sovetskaya Square is also less than a kilometre from the stadium. This is the best place to venture for refreshments with very few options near the ground.

The main architectural monuments of Saransk are Church of St. John the Evangelist (Demokraticheskaya Street, 28), Three Saints Church (the second half of the 18th century, Moskovskaya Street, 48), Pugachev tent (Moskovskaya Street, 48).

The city is an important cultural centre of the Finno-Ugric. They’re made up of Hungarian’s, Finns, Estonian’s and Mordvins.

Football may be the national sport in Russia but race walking is the traditional sport in Saransk.

The city’s climate will typically see lows of 11 degrees and highs of 24.

Volgograd Stadium

Capacity: 45,000

Location: Volgograd

Team: FC Rotor Volgograd

Fixtures:

• 18 June 2018 21:00 – Tunisia vs England – Group G
• 22 June 2018 18:00 – Nigeria vs Iceland – Group D
• 25 June 2018 17:00 – Saudi Arabia vs Egypt – Group A
• 28 June 2018 17:00 – Japan vs Poland – Group H

The stadium was built on the site of the former Central Stadium, which used to be Volgograd’s principal stadium. Demolition of the old stadium started in late 2014, and construction of the new arena got going in the spring of 2015.

The Volgograd Arena has a capacity of 45,000 seats divided over two tiers. The cabled roof and meshed exterior are the standout features of the arena.

By night, the stadium can look very striking and impressive.

The replacement of concrete slabs for steel girders will allow natural light onto the pitch.

This is where England will play their first match of the tournament against Tunisia.

It’s located in between Lenin Prospekt, one of Volgograd’s major avenues, and the river Volga.

The stadium is also bordered by one of Volgograd’s main parks, the Friendship Park, residential housing, and some light industry. Volgograd’s Motherland Calls statue, Volgograd’s main attraction, lies a short walk away further north.

A short walk south of the stadium is the large Europa Mall, where you can find various food outlets including some international fast food chains.

The city is in the southwest of the country on the western bank of Volga River and close to the Ukrainian border.

Spartak Arena

Capacity: 45,000

Location: Moscow

Team: Spartak Moscow

Fixtures:

• 16 June 2018 16:00 – Argentina vs Iceland – Group D
• 19 June 2018 15:00 – Poland vs Senegal – Group H
• 23 June 2018 15:00 – Belgium vs Tunisia – Group B
• 26 June 2018 17:00 – Serbia vs Brazil – Group C
• 3 July 2018 21:00 – 1H vs 2G – Round of 16

Before 2014 Spartak had never owned a proper ground. Instead, they used various stadiums around Moscow and ultimately playing at Luzhniki Stadium.

Also known as the Otkritie Arena in partnership with a local bank, the stadium was officially opened in September 2014.

Located on the site of a former airfield in the Strogino District of Moscow, the suburb is comprised of residential buildings.

The city centre lies 13km from the stadium and is the best place for restaurants and food options. As the capital city, Moscow has some of the best cultural sights in the country.

You can visit the Kremlin Palace, Christ the Saviour Cathedral and the world-famous Bolshoi Theatre.

The stadium has more of a soul than some of the stadia built just for the tournament.

The steep stands give fans a closer look of the action and the statue of Spartacus may prove to be a popular fan-pic of the tournament.

Kaliningrad Stadium

Capacity: 35,000

Location: Kaliningrad

Team: FC Baltika Kaliningrad

Fixtures:

• 16 June 2018 21:00 – Croatia vs Nigeria – Group D
• 22 June 2018 20:00 – Serbia vs Switzerland – Group E
• 25 June 2018 20:00 – Spain vs Morocco – Group B
• 28 June 2018 20:00 – England vs Belgium – Group G

The westernmost host city in the tournament, Kaliningrad is located close to the Poland and Lithuania border.

The brand spanking new stadium has been built on marsh-land on a picturesque island on the outside of the centre called Oktyabrsky.

It is only a short walk away to the pleasant area around Konigsberg Cathedral, including a strip along the Pregolya River with a number of restaurants. There are more bars and restaurants a little further north along Leninskiy Prospekt, the main avenue, leading up to Victory Square.

Central Victory Square, located further north, is another 1.5 kilometres further away, which will take a little longer than half an hour to walk.

Following the tournament, the ground will be used by FC Baltika who play their football in the Russian second division.

The club have moved from the modest Baltika Stadium and will hope they can attract a larger fan base to improve on their fifth-place finish last campaign.

The climate can be breezy and mild due to being on the Baltic coast.

Keep up to date with the latest news on this year’s World Cup in Russia and the upcoming matches at each stadium here.