Moscow
City and Population
Founded in the 12th century, Moscow is the capital of the Russian Federation and one of the most renowned and fascinating cities in the world. It is a dynamic 21st century metropolis showcasing some of the world’s best shopping, nightlife, restaurants and culture. Located on and around the shores of the River Moskva, the capital is the epicentre of the Russian Federation. Home to over 130 nationalities and 10 million residents, Moscow is served by three international airports and the world’s second busiest subway system.
Sights
The city is blessed with beautiful architecture and such renowned cultural landmarks as the Bolshoi Theatre, the Kremlin, the Pushkin Museum and the Tchaikovsky Conservatory, to name but a few. Moscow is also home to 3 UNESCO World Heritage sites, including The Kremlin and Red Square.
Football
Moscow’s sporting pedigree includes hosting the 1980 Olympic Games and the 2008 UEFA Champions League Final, and the famous Luzhniki Stadium will host the 2013 IAAF World Championships. Moscow is home to several Premier League teams including Spartak, Dynamo and CSKA and is also considered Russia’s football capital.
Throughout the year, more than 300 football competitions on all levels are organised in Moscow thanks to more than 80 stadiums, each with a capacity of more than 1,500 seats. Over 7,000 people work as football administrators, experts or coaches, providing the 46 children and youth football schools with great knowledge and expertise. Moscow is the Host City of the internationally known Commonwealth of Independent States and Baltic States Cup (CIS Cup).
Stadiums
Luzhniki Stadium
Luzhniki Stadium is at the centre of Moscow’s 145 hectare Olympic complex, one of the largest sports complexes in the world. Originally built in 1956, Luzhniki Stadium has been renovated several times and is now designated a 5-star football stadium by UEFA. Further renovation for the 2018/2022 FIFA World Cup™ will increase seating capacity to 89,318 and ensure that the stadium will meet or exceed FIFA requirements for the Opening Match, the one of the semi-final matches and the Final.
Dynamo Stadium
Dynamo Stadium will be located in Petrovsky Park, just six km northwest of Moscow’s city centre. The new stadium will be a refurbishment of the famed old Dynamo Stadium, home of FC Dynamo Moscow, a legendary site for many dramatic matches in Russia’s football history. Dynamo is the only club that has continuously played in both the Soviet and the Russian Premier Leagues. Beginning in the 1920s, Dynamo Stadium held football matches with a bicycle track running around the pitch. The asymmetry if the original horse-shoe shaped building is still visible in relation of the façade to the pitch.
Spartak Stadium
Spartak Stadium will be located on a site of 31.28 hectares in the north-western administrative district of Moscow, about 25 km from the city centre. The new Spartak Stadium will meet the highest standards of a modern state-of-the-art football venue. The stadium will play host to FC Spartak, which, in its 75-year tradition of excellence in football, has never occupied its own stadium.
FIFA World Cup™ Stadium Moscow Region
The new FIFA World Cup™ Stadium Moscow Region will be located on the outskirts of Moscow. The location is situated amid a lovely natural landscape but has easy access to two Metro stations and the Moscow Circle Highway. The spacious 64 hectare site features a variety of sporting facilities, including three training pitches and separate athletic roads. All these facilities are available for the FIFA World Cup™.
FAN FESTS
Moscow: Red Square
This Fan Fest will be held at the most iconic location in Moscow: the famous Red Square. This truly spectacular site is a symbol of Russia par excellence. Using this national treasure as a Fan Fest Site will give both it and the tournament an unequalled historical and cultural dimension.
Moscow: Vorob’evy Hills
The second site for the Moscow Fan Fest is on the Vorob’evy Hills, home to the landmark high-rise building of Moscow State University. The site offers a fantastic panorama of the city and is only a short way from the city centre.
