Soccer

Russia World Cup stadium takes novel approach to seating extension

Ekaterinburg Arena has placed temporary stand outside stadium walls to make minimum capacity

A photo taken on September 18th of the stands of the Yekaterinburg Arena in Yekaterinburg, which will host four group games during the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Photograph: Mladen Antonov/AFP/Getty Images)
A photo taken on September 18th of the stands of the Yekaterinburg Arena in Yekaterinburg, which will host four group games during the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Photograph: Mladen Antonov/AFP/Getty Images)
Wed Oct 04 2017 - 16:06

World Cup stadiums come in all shapes and sizes but next year’s tournament in Russia will break new ground with fans at one venue seated outside.

Architects working on the Ekaterinburg Arena, 1,400km east of Moscow, have come up with a unique answer to the tricky question: how do you seat the Fifa-sanctioned minimum of 35,000 spectators when the stadium has a capacity of many thousands less? Simply build a stand outside.

The change, which incorporates extra seating behind both goals, will allow the stadium to host four group games taking pace at the home of Russian Premier League side FC Ural before being removed after the World Cup is over.

The arena in Yekaterinburg was built in 1957 and is one of 12 venues across 11 cities which will be used in the 2018 World Cup.

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(Guardian service)