Out of Play
Russia World Cup stadium guide including the 35,000 all-seater which has stand outside the ground
ENGLAND will find out today who they will face next summer in Russia, with the draw taking place in Moscow.
All 32 sides will find out their schedule for the group stage, but just as importantly, they will also have to start making plans for where their base will be as where each country is playing will be revealed.
And with that in mind, our friends at Football Whispers have given us the lowdown on each of the 12 stadiums being used at the World Cup.
Luzhniki Stadium (Moscow)
Capacity: 81,000
The largest stadium at next summer’s tournament, it will host both the opening match and the final.
It first opened in 1956 as the national stadium of the Soviet Union, and was the chief venue of the 1980 Summer Olympics, when it then had a capacity of 103,000.
Manchester United beat Chelsea in the Champions League final in 2008 there, but it’s since been renovated with the inside undergoing a complete refurbishment ahead of next summer’s World Cup.
When it hosts the final, it will join Rome’s Stadio Olympico, Berlin’s Olympiastadion, Munich’s Olympiastadion, Paris’ Stade de France and London’s Wembley Stadium as the only stadiums to have hosted a World Cup final, a Champions League final and been the main stadium in a summer Olympics.
Saint Petersburg Stadium (Saint Petersburg)
Capacity: 68,134
The Saint Petersburg Stadium, also known as Zenit Arena, opened in 2017 ahead of the Confederations Cup, during which it hosted the final.
It was initially meant to be funded by Russian gas firm Gazprom, however after they pulled out the project was taken over by the Saint Petersburg city government, before being completed in April.
Overall costs soared past $1 billion, which made it one of the most expensive stadiums ever built.
The stadium, based on Krestovsky Island, has a retractable roof and is home to Zenit Saint Petersburg.
During the World Cup, it will host four group matches, a quarter final, a semi final, and the match for third place.
Fisht Stadium (Sochi)
Capacity: 47,659
If England get drawn in Sochi, their trip to the Fisht Stadium will a journey to the Southernmost ground in the tournament.
It was built to serve as the centrepiece of the 2013 Sochi Winter Olympics, hosting both the opening and closing ceremony.
To be fit for purpose for the World Cup, the closed roof had been opened up and additional seating was placed to boost capacity by 6,000 seats.
It will host four group games, one round-of-16 match, and a quarter-final.
The Southernmost stadium next summer, it served as the centrepiece to the 2014 Winter Olympics, hosting the opening and closing ceremonies
Ekaterinburg Arena (Ekaterinburg)
Capacity: 35,696
The Ekaterinburg Arena, originally called Central Stadium, was built between 1953 and 1957, and was a multi-sports arena, also hosting athletics and ice skating events.
It remained largely unchanged until works started in 2007 to redevelop it.
Soon after, Russia were awarded the 2018 World Cup, and the recently-renovated stadium didn’t meet FIFA standards, so building work had to take place again.
As the roof is protected, expansion work wasn’t easy, so there are now two temporary stands behind the goal which look like they are outside the stadium.
It will host four group games.
Kazan Arena (Kazan)
Capacity: 45,379
Home to Rubin Kazan, the stadium started construction in May 2010 and was completed by July 2013.
It was also the venue for the 2015 World Aquatics Championships.
It has the largest outside screen in Europe on the outside, but you obviously won’t be able to see that when you’re inside watching a game.
The stadium was designed by the same architects who were behind Wembley and the Emirates Stadium.
It will host four group games, one round-of-16 games, and a quarter-final.
Nizhny Novgorod Stadium (Nizhny Novgorod)
Capacity: 44,899
The stadium in Nizhny Novgorod in the centre of Russia was built specifically for the World Cup.
It hit the headlines last month after a fire broke out at the stadium, but fortunately there were no casualties.
It’s scheduled to host four group matches, one round-of-16 match, and a quarter-final.
Once the World Cup is over, it will be home to FC Olimipyets.
Rostov Arena (Rostov-on-Don)
Capacity: 45,000
Another new build, the foundation work on the stadium only started in 2015.
It will be scaled down to a 25,000 capacity after the tournament, when it will become the home of FC Rostov.
The design of the stadium is inspired by the ancient mounds of earth, kurgans, that can be found in the region.
It is also the first major project south of the Don River, with the rest of the city lying on the north bank.
It will host four group games and a round-of-16 match.
Samara Arena (Samara)
Capacity: 44,918
The stadium was originally planned to be built in the south of Samara, but it had to move north of the city due to a lack of infrastructure.
It’s currently unfinished but is scheduled to be completed by the end of the year.
After the tournament, it will become the new home of Krylja Sovetov.
During the World Cup, it will host four group matches, one round-of-16 match, and a quarter-final.
Mordovia Arena (Saransk)
Capacity: 45,015
Another stadium not yet finished, the Mordovia Arena was hit by problems during construction, with building work stalling due to a lack of funding.
When it’s completed, it should take on a bowl shape.
After the World Cup, it will be have its capacity reduced to 28,000 seats, with the upper tier set to be removed.
It will host four group stage matches.
Volgograd Arena (Volgograd)
Capacity: 45,568
The Volgograd Arena is built at the site of the former Central Stadium, which was demolished in 2014.
It’s situated on the banks of the Volga River and is next to Volgograd’s main park, the Friendship Park.
During the World Cup, it will host four group games, before becoming home to Rotor Volgograd after the tournament.
Spartak Stadium (Moscow)
Capacity: 45,360
Opened in 2014, the Spartak Stadium is the home of Spartak Moscow.
In its history, the capital club had never owned a stadium, using various grounds around Moscow before settling as tenants at Luzhniki Stadium.
The stadium is built on the grounds of the former Tushino Airfield, which was used for military exercises showcasing the latest in Soviet innovation during the Cold War.
It was selected as one of the playing venues of the 2017 Confederations Cup, hosting three group stage matches and the match for third place.
For the World Cup, it will host four group stage games and one round-of-16 tie.
Kaliningrad Stadium (Kaliningrad)
Capacity: 35,212
Purposely built for Russia 2018, on Oktyabrsky Island, right in the heart of Kaliningrad.
The island had previously been largely swampland for many centuries, but the building of the stadium alongside the Pregola river has seen a regeneration, with parks, quays and embankments built nearby.
After the World Cup Baltika Kaliningrad, will play its home games there.
It’s set to host four group games.