FIFA World Cup 2018: The Stadiums For Opening And Closing Matches

FIFA World Cup 2018 will be held in Russia. The country has had to do heavy investments to make new stadiums and also rebuild some old ones. Here is a list of stadiums where the important matches will be played.

1. Luzhniki Stadium

The Luzniki Stadium is in the capital city of Moscow. It opened in 1956 and has since been reconstructed many times.

In fact, It is the former home stadium of CSKA Moscow, Spartak Moscow and Torpedo Moscow in the Russian League.

The stadium is famous for having the UEFA Champions League Final in 2008 between Manchester United and Chelsea.

It will host the first game of the FIFA World Cup 2018 on June 14 between Russia and Saudi Arabia. The seating capacity is nearly 80,000. It is also going to have the honour of hosting the second Semi-Final on July 11 and the Final on July 15.

City: Moscow

Capacity: 80,000

Important Matches: Opening game of WC, Semi-Final, Final

2. Saint Petersburg Stadium

The Saint Petersburg Stadium is in Saint Petersburg. It opened in 2017 and was made for the FIFA World Cup 2018. The stadium will be home for Zenit St. Petersburg.

Stadiums — The home stadium of Zenit Saint Petersburg. Photo Courtesy: The Stadium Guide

It will host the first match of Group B between Iran and Morocco on June 15.

The stadium will also be the venue for the first Semi-Final game on July 10 and the Third Place match on July 14.

City: Saint Petersburg

Capacity: 67,000

Important Matches: Semi-Final, Third Place

3. Fisht Stadium

The Fisht Stadium is famous for hosting the opening and closing ceremony for the Sochi Winter Olympics in February 2014.

The venue will be host to be one the most intriguing contests between Portugal and Spain in a Group B encounter on June 15. It will also be host to a Round of 16 tie on June 30 and a Quarter-Final match on July 7.

City: Sochi

Capacity: 48,000

Important Matches: Portugal vs Spain (Group B), Round of 16, Quarter-Final

4. Kazan Arena

The home stadium of Rubin Kazan has been made by the same architect who famously made the Wembley Stadium. It opened in 2013 and also served as a venue for 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup.

The stadium will host a Round of 16 knockout tie and a Quarter-Final among other group games.

City: Kazan

Capacity: 45,000

Important Matches: Round of 16, Quarter-Final

5.Samara Arena

The Krylya Sovetov’s home stadium opened in 2014. It will be one of the few stadiums to have the home country play a group game when Russia take on Uruguay on June 25.