 | |
 Interactive map of RZD Arena[1] | |
| Former names | Stalinets, Lokomotiv |
|---|---|
| Location | Moscow,Russia |
| Coordinates | 55°48′13″N37°44′28″E / 55.80361°N 37.74111°E /55.80361; 37.74111 |
| Public transit |  Cherkizovskaya Lokomotiv |
| Owner | Russian Railways |
| Operator | Lokomotiv Moscow |
| Capacity | 27,320[4] |
| Field size | 104m × 68m |
| Surface | Grass |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | 2000 |
| Opened | 5 July 2002 |
| Construction cost | $150–170 million[2][3] |
| Architect | Dmitry Bush |
| Tenants | |
| FC Lokomotiv Moscow (2002–present) Russia national football team (selected matches) | |
| Website | |
| www | |
RZD Arena (Russian:«РЖД Арена») is afootballstadium in Moscow, Russia. Formerly known asLokomotiv Stadium, it is the home stadium ofLokomotiv Moscow and was the home ground of theRussian national team for the2010 FIFA World Cup qualification matches. The stadium was reconstructed in 2002 and holds 27,084 people, all seated. The reconstruction of the stadium was funded by theRussian Transportation Ministry at a cost of $150–170 million.
In 1935, at the site where the Lokomotiv Stadium resides today, an electric workers union decided to build a stadium which was named "Stalinets" or "Stalinist Stadium". At the time, Stalinets held about 30,000 spectators.[5]
After holding several matches, Stalinets was demolished to make way for a more modern stadium. Thus, Lokomotiv stadium was built. It was opened on 17 August 1966 with a capacity of 30,000 people.[6] However, in the mid-1990s the capacity of the stadium was reduced by 6,000 to 24,000, as the wooden benches were replaced by plastic seats.[citation needed]
The inaugural match played at Lokomotiv Stadium was betweenLokomotiv Moscow andDynamo Kiev. As years rolled on, Lokomotiv held several important matches such asRussian National team home matches, Lokomotiv matches and others. The stadium also played host to a European Cup Qualifier betweenFC Spartak Moscow and Swiss clubFC Sion. The match finished 2-2; however, the Swiss club then had UEFA to measure the posts for compliance with international standards. Indeed, the size of the posts were shown to infringe international standards. Eventually, UEFA ordered a replay, which Spartak won 5-1.
TheLokomotiv Moscow board felt that a new stadium would be the best option. The construction was backed by the Russian Transport Ministry. The new stadium held its first match on July 5, 2002.
On 5 August 2017,Lokomotiv announced that the stadium has been renamed to RZD Arena following a deal withRussian Railways.[7]
Lokomotiv was designed solely for football matches and thus has no running tracks. In all the stadium holds 30,000 people. Moreover, beside the stadium one can find theMinor Sports Arena Lokomotiv.[citation needed]
Depeche Mode performed at the stadium on 22 June 2013 during theirDelta Machine Tour.[citation needed]
| Preceded by | FIFA U-20 Women's World Championship Final Venue 2006 | Succeeded by |
