Football or soccer is the most popular sports in the world. The fever sweep all corners of the earth. In Russia included, the sports garner a lot of fans. Young children play it on the street, older men watch it in a bar. In 2018, Russia hosted the biggest soccer event in the world, The World Cup. Eleven cities hosted the match, and one of them is Nizhny Novgorod.
Cities were chosen as a host city usually because they are a tourist destination. In the case of Nizhny Novgorod, the city is famous for its medieval Kremlin, the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin. It’s also famous being the place where Maxim Gorky was born. Gorky is a Russian writer during the Soviet era that’s famous for its socialist realism writing style.
If you are a fan of football or any sports in general, it’s recommended to visit the city. Nizhny Novgorod Stadium is the one you should visit. But that’s not the only sports stadiums in Nizhny Novgorod. There are 4 stadiums in this city. After you’re done with your sporty excursion, you can consider visiting monuments and landmarks of Nizhny Novgorod.
1. Nizhny Novgorod Stadium
Nizhny Novgorod Stadium is a football stadium that’s specifically built for the 2018 Fifa World Cup. It is constructed in 2015m and was ready for operation in 2017. The projects cost 17.9 million rubles. It occupies an area of 21 ha. The stadium itself able to hold the capacity of 44,899 Spectators.
The location of Nizhny Novgorod Stadium is also a strategic one. It’s situated at the meeting point of Volga and Oka River. You can see the stadium from atop of Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin, which is located across the river. So if you’re visiting, it’s easy for you to transport from one site to another. The stadium is also a few kilometers away from Nizhny Novgorod Railway Station.
The architecture of Nizhny Novgorod Stadium is also something you must notice. It is what makes this stadium one of the top places worth to visit in this city. It’s a mixture of classic and modern. The classical feel can be seen on its white columns arranged in such a way they look like they circle the stadium. The color combination, blue, white, and azure, represent the Volga region nature. The building looks strong, while at the same time look elegant and airy thanks to its semi-translucent rooftop.
When you’re visiting, don’t forget to stay until after sunset. Because in the evening, Nizhny Novgorod Stadium is illuminated with colorful light. It makes a beautiful sight, especially if you watch it in the riverside, while the sound of rippling water behind becomes the back sound of the night. It’s romantic just thinking about it.
After the World Cup, Nizhny Novgorod Stadium is a multipurpose sports arena for many kinds of sports, not just football. Sometimes it’s also a venue for concerts. It’s also the home for Nizhny Novgorod FC, the city’s football team. It’s the venue whenever the team plays as the home team in the Russian Football National League. If you want to watch them play, you might want to schedule your trip accordingly, so you can experience watching a football match at this venue.
2. Trade Union Sport Palace
Trade Union Sport Palace isn’t a football stadium. But here you can open up to experience other sports such as ice hockey and Basketball. The stadium has 5600 of capacity. It’s also pretty old, opened in 1965. But the stadium is renovated in 2007. The Stadium is home of BC Nizhny Novgorod, the local basketball team.
3. Start Stadium
Start Stadium is the arena you should go if you want to watch a bandy match. Bandy is a winter sport played on ice. In hindsight, it looks like ice hockey, but with several differences.
4. FOK Zarechye
If you’re a fan of volleyball, FOK Zarechye is where you should go. It is where you can see tall and athletic Russian female athletes compete in a fierce competition of volleyball. The stadium is where matches of Russia’s Women’s Volleyball Supreme League A often take place.
Those are stadiums you can go to Nizhny Novgorod. Even though you’re a big fan of the sport, when you’re in this city, it would be a pity if you miss out the cultural and heritage of Nizhny Novgorod. So we also list here several places you can go after you’re satisfied with your sports excursion.
Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin
This historical landmark is the face of the city, built in the 15th century, the fortress is striking with its red brick. It used to serve as a guarding fortress against the attack from the neighboring Khanate oh Kazan.
Chkalov Stairs
Named after the famous Russian pilot, you can get all sporty while visiting this staircase. There are hundreds of step here, so if you still want to exercise after your stadium visit, this place is perfect for you.
The house-museum of Maxim Gorky
If you’re an admirer of Maxim Gorky work, you might want to know him more personally. In this museum. you’ll get to know how he used to live, what decors he likes on his house and his choice of furniture and ornaments.
So those are stadiums and other sights you can visit at Nizhny Novgorod. Don’t forget like any other Russian city, here you can also find beautiful churches such as the Cathedral of St. Alexander Nevskiy.
When traveling, accommodation is an important thing. So read this list of recommended hotels in Nizhny Novgorod. One of them is just across the street from Nizhny Novgorod Stadium. Good accommodation also ensures you to have a good weekend in this city.
Enjoy your trip.