A world cycling center in the shape of a racer's helmet -
Saryarka Velodrome is assigned the role of one of the world's best sports facilities and the main pride of Kazakhstani cycling. Opened in 2011 for the VII Winter Asian Games in the city of Astana, this object instantly became an architectural dominant of the left bank thanks to its futuristic shape resembling a cyclist's helmet.
The project, created in compliance with the strictest international standards, allows for hosting world-class competitions, including the Track Cycling World Championships. Located at the epicenter of Astana's sports life, the velodrome is adjacent to such giants as Astana Arena and the Alau Ice Palace.
The place impresses with its scale and multifunctionality. The heart of the facility is a 250-meter wooden track made of Siberian cedar, which provides ideal grip and high speed. The stands are designed for 9,270 spectators, creating a magnificent view from any point.
Here, modern engineering solutions meet the atmosphere of big races near the Botanical Garden and the Mangilik El Triumphal Arch. The name "Saryarka" (translated as "yellow back/ridge") refers to a vast region in central Kazakhstan with its low-mountain massifs.
The velodrome is a key link in the capital's sports infrastructure, featuring not only the track but also an ice arena, a swimming pool, and martial arts halls. Thanks to its proximity to Linear Park and Ulytau Alley, a visit to the complex is easy to combine with a walk along the main landmarks of the left bank.
---------------------------------------------
How to get there and visit -
Saryarka Velodrome is located at: 45A Kabanbay Batyr Avenue, left bank of the Esil River, Yesil district, Astana city, Republic of Kazakhstan.
GPS coordinates: 51°06'36"N 71°24'26"E
You can reach Saryarka by city buses to the Saryarka Velodrome or Astana Arena Stadium stops. Routes leading to the facility include: 807, 803, 801, 309, 308, 303, 302, 301, 60, 53, 51, 37, 12, 10.
Contacts: +7 7172 70 71 73 (reception)
Fitness club: +7 7172 70 71 79; +7 7172 70 71 57; +7 7172 70 71 47; +7 7172 70 71 48
Opening hours: Tuesday – Sunday from 07:00 to 23:00 (Monday closed)
Official website
Instagram page
---------------------------------------------
History
The history of the Saryarka Velodrome began in 2011 when it was grandly opened on the eve of the Asiada and immediately received the status of the best velodrome on the planet according to the International Cycling Union. At that time, this part of the city still bordered the steppe. The first major competitions here were short track and figure skating events within the framework of the Winter Asian Games.
Over the years, the arena has become a symbol of Kazakhstan's integration into the world sports elite. The history of Saryarka is a journey from a unique engineering blueprint costing about 20 billion tenge to one of the most visited and multifunctional complexes in Eurasia, where modern technologies have allowed for combining cycling, hockey, and a concert venue under one roof.
Information
Saryarka Velodrome is a grand complex with a capacity of over 9,200 spectators. The main feature of the object is the track with an incline of 42 degrees on the turns and 12.5 degrees on the straights. The infrastructure includes a fitness center with two swimming pools (25 m for adults and a small one for children), three types of saunas, martial arts and rhythmic gymnastics halls, as well as a hotel with 108 rooms and a restaurant complex.
The technical equipment meets world standards. Outside of competitions, sections for football on outdoor mini-pitches, rhythmic gymnastics, and taekwondo operate here. The facility is fully adapted for the needs of people with limited mobility, providing comfortable access to all areas of the complex, including a conference hall with 204 seats for official events.
Detailed description of the object
A walk through Saryarka allows you to appreciate the futuristic design: streamlined forms made of glass and metal with a total area of almost 45,000 sq m create an effect of lightness. Inside the complex, everything is thought out for the convenience of athletes and fans: from professional locker rooms to modern media systems.
The building has four main entrances: the western one leads to the fitness gym, the southern one to the hotel, the northern one to the sports halls, and the eastern one to the VIP zone.
On competition days, the stadium is filled with the energy of speed. Proximity to Astana Arena and the Botanical Garden allows visitors to combine watching races with relaxation in the park zones of the left bank. The building's evening illumination, resembling a cyclist's helmet, makes Saryarka one of the most recognizable landmarks on Kabanbay Batyr Avenue.
Architecture
The architectural concept of Saryarka is based on the metaphor of movement. The roof of the building, shaped like a cyclist's helmet, has become one of the most recognizable silhouettes in Astana. Over 250 tons of metal structures were used to assemble the dome. The project is a benchmark of sports architecture, harmoniously blending with the scales of the neighboring Alau and Astana Arena stadiums while maintaining its complete uniqueness.
Legend and conclusion
Among athletes, there is an opinion that the cedar from which the track is made possesses a special energy that helps in setting personal records.
Saryarka Velodrome is not just a stadium, but a symbol of speed and innovation in Kazakhstan.
A visit to this facility is a must for every tourist to see a masterpiece of engineering thought and feel the pulse of the capital's sporting life.
Interesting attractions nearby:
• Barys Arena Ice Palace;
• Gratitude to the Kazakh People Monument;
• Nur Alem Museum of Future Energy;
• Astana Ballet Theatre;
• Nazarbayev Center;
• Zhaksylyk Ushkempirov Martial Arts Palace.
Photogallery:
