By David Gold
August 27 – Russia’s 2018 World Cup stadium in Yekaterinburg has been re-opened after renovations which began in 2006 were completed on the 54-year-old ground.
It is one of at least 13 stadiums which will be renovated or constructed for the World Cup.
The renovations cost 2.5 billion rubles (£51.5 million/$85 million/€58 million) to bring the capacity of the stadium up to 27,000, meaning that further work is required before it is ready to stage World Cup games as FIFA regulations require 40,000 in host venues.
Vitaly Mutko, the Russian Minister for Sport, said at the opening: “Opening a new sports venue always triggers positive emotions and expectations.
“The goals set for the reconstruction of the Central Stadium have been accomplished.
“At the moment the Stadium doesn’t meet the requirements, it is a work to be done in the next few years.
“Otherwise, the Stadium meets all logistics and security standards.
“And it is very important to mention that the Stadium is located in the city centre.”
Ural and Khimki played a match to mark the opening of the stadium, which Ural won 5-2 in front of 25,500 supporters, setting a national football league record.
Another record was broken when an orchestra of 700 musicians and 41 conductors performed the FIFA anthem, gaining for themselves a place in the Guiness Book of Records.
The new stadium features a state of the art press centre, natural grass pitch, disabled facilities and a metro station will be built next to the ground.
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