Sports life of Kazakhstan -
Sports tourism throughout Kazakhstan -
The Central Stadium is one of the most famous sports and cultural venues in the Southern capital, a symbol of Kazakhstan's sports history and a place where the heart of the city's football life beats. Located in the very center of Almaty, on Abai Avenue, the stadium is surrounded by parks, fountains and pedestrian areas – an ideal place not only for football fans, but also for tourists who want to experience the atmosphere of real Kazakhstani sports. The stadium is the home stadium of the Kairat football club and the Kazakhstan national football team. Matches, concerts, festivals and mass celebrations take place here – the stadium is full of life at any time of the year.
Stadium History
The construction of the Central Stadium began in the early 1950s, during the period of active development of the city, when Almaty became the cultural and sports capital of the whole of Kazakhstan. At that time, the existing sports grounds were no longer enough to host major events, and it was decided to build an arena on a union scale. The opening took place in 1958, and the stadium immediately became a center of attraction for athletes and fans. The USSR athletics championships, union-level football matches and mass sports celebrations were held here.
In Soviet times, the arena was of great importance: the first world-class Kazakhstani athletes were formed here. Over the years, the stadium has hosted international meetings, friendly games with foreign teams, as well as massive city parades and concerts.
In the post-Soviet period, the Central Stadium retained its importance. In the early 2000s, reconstruction was carried out: the stands were modernized, the running tracks were updated, new lighting systems and a modern electronic scoreboard were installed. This allowed the arena to meet the requirements of FIFA and UEFA.
Architectural features and capacity
Architecturally, the Central Stadium is designed in the classical style of sports arenas of the mid-20th century. It has an oval shape, with an outdoor soccer field and athletics tracks, which makes it multifunctional. The arena is equipped with stands with comfortable sections for fans, press boxes, VIP areas, as well as a modern security system. The stadium has a capacity of about 23,000 spectators, making it one of the largest in Kazakhstan.
The rostrum facilities include locker rooms, coaching rooms, press conference rooms and training areas for athletes. The field is equipped with a heating system, which allows matches to be played even in the cooler season.
Sports life
The Central Stadium became the home of the Kairat Football Club, a legendary team that played in the USSR's Top League and left a vivid mark on the history of Soviet football. It was here that Kairat played its loudest matches, and the stands were filled with tens of thousands of fans, creating a unique atmosphere.
It wasn't just football battles that took place at the stadium. National and international athletics competitions, national championships in various sports, as well as qualifying matches of the national team of Kazakhstan were organized here.
The Central Stadium hosted matches against such famous rivals as Spartak Moscow and Dynamo Kyiv, and already in independent Kazakhstan, meetings within the framework of the Champions League and the Europa League with foreign clubs were held here.
In addition to sports, the arena has repeatedly become a venue for grandiose cultural events. The stadium hosted concerts by world and domestic stars, city celebrations, festivals and celebrations, including celebrations of City Day and Independence Day. For many Almaty residents, the Central Stadium is associated not only with football, but also with an atmosphere of unity, when tens of thousands of people come together to share the joy of a big event.
How to get there and visit
The Central Stadium of Almaty is located at 29/3 Satpayev Street, Bostandyk district, Almaty, Republic of Kazakhstan. The entrance to the stadium is located on the side of Abai Avenue.
GPS coordinates: 43°14'17"N 76°55'27"E
Contacts: +7 (727) 292-43-35; +7 (727) 292-47-10
Central Stadium bus stop (Satpayev St.)
Buses run here: No. 18, 95, 121; trolleybus: No. 6
Central Stadium bus stop (Abai Avenue)
There are: buses running here: №25, 34, 57, 62, 65, 66, 92, 98, 118, 120, 128; trolleybuses: No. 5, 19, 25
Sports Palace bus stop (5-7 minutes walk to the stadium)
You can get here by: buses: №18, 30, 79, 210, 224; trolleybuses: No. 7, 9, 11
Abaya metro station
is the most convenient way – metro!
Exit No. 1 is directly onto Abai Avenue, from there it is only 200 meters (3-5 minutes at a leisurely pace) to the main entrance of the stadium.
The Central Stadium is a symbol of the sports history of Almaty. He raised more than one generation of fans, launched the careers of hundreds of athletes and preserved the memory of bright moments that the whole country is proud of. Today, the arena continues to live: football matches, tournaments, concerts and festivals are held here. For Almaty, this is not just a sports facility, but a real "core" of sports culture, a place where the past meets the present, and the energy of the fans inspires athletes to new victories.
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