Key Facts
Host City: Kaliningrad
Capacity: 35 212
Project Type: New
Completed: 2018
Matches:
16 June 2018 21:00 – Croatia vs Nigeria – Group D
22 June 2018 20:00 – Serbia vs Switzerland – Group E
25 June 2018 20:00 – Spain vs Morocco – Group B
28 June 2018 20:00 – England vs Belgium – Group G
History and description
Kaliningrad Stadium, also known as the Arena Baltika, is a newly opened stadium in the city of Kaliningrad. It was built to be one of the playing venues of the 2018 World Cup and the new home of FC Baltika, who previously played at the modest Baltika Stadium.
Construction of Kaliningrad Stadium started in September 2015, making it the last Russia World Cup to get under way. Delays had plagued the project, caused by financial difficulties and the bankruptcy of the company responsible for the design.
Initial plans had aimed for a capacity of 45,000 and a retractable roof, but these had to get scaled back to a simpler design with 35,000 seats, of which 10,000 will be removed after the World Cup.
Kaliningrad Stadium eventually opened on 11 April 2018 with a league match between FC Baltika and Krylia Sovetov (1-0).
During the World Cup, Kaliningrad Stadium is scheduled to host four first round group matches.
Kaliningrad Stadium is located just west of central Kaliningrad on Oktyabrsky Island in the Pregolya river.
Source: FIFA and the stadiumguide.com
