The Luzhniki stadium renovation to be completed as scheduled in 2017

Moscow - Luzhniki Stadium 10.01.2017: The principal venue for the 2018 World Cup will be the renovated Luzhniki stadium, which will, among other matches, host the final on 8th July. Those were the main reasons for the major renovation of the largest Russian stadium, the home ground of Spartak Moscow until recently. In 2014 the club moved to the newly built Otkritie Arena, which will provide another venue for the World Cup. Moscow will be the only city, in which matches will be played at two stadiums.

The renovation mainly concerns the interior part of the stadium; therefore the outer structure, built in 1956, and the roof have been preserved. In September 2013 the demolition of stands began. The essential aim of the renovation is to get the stands nearer to the pitch by removing the running track, thus turning Luzhniki into a football-only stadium.

In compliance with FIFA recommendations the capacity has been increased only by 3,000, to 81,006 seats. Originally, it was intended to increase the stadium capacity to 90,000 though. The oval roof has also been expanded, and it will be lined with a circle LED screen. Fans will thus be able to see information about the match on a screen in front of them, no matter where they sit. The reconstruction is planned to be completed in 2017, the stadium should therefore be ready a year before the World Cup.

The Luzhniki stadium renovation

Zdroj: stroi.mos.ru

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Luzhniki prior to renovation in 2013

The legendary Luzhniki stadium was built in 1956 and it has undergone several redevelopments. Among others, new roof was added in 1999 and new seats were installed in 2008, prior to the Champions League final. Top English clubs – Manchester United and Chelsea – played in the Moscow final then. The result of the match, played in rainy weather, was decided by penalties, and United won. And now Luzhniki will have the honour to host the 2018 World Cup final.