Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev attended the opening of Khankendi City Stadium on November 7, following its major renovation.
Youth and Sports Minister Farid Gayibov briefed the head of state on the facilities at the stadium, Operative Information Center-OMM reports.
Khankendi City Stadium opened in 1956. It was reported that renovation work began after the city was liberated from Armenian occupation in 2023 as a result of an anti-terrorist operation carried out by the Azerbaijani Armed Forces.
The stadium has been extensively renovated to meet UEFA Category 3 standards, and its grounds have been expanded to 3.39 hectares.
The stadium has a total capacity of 8,554 spectators. Of these, 8,214 are standard seats and 251 are reserved for special guests. A further 59 places are allocated for media representatives and 30 for people with disabilities.
The football pitch, measuring 105 metres long and 68 metres wide, has an artificial surface. An athletics area around the pitch includes facilities for 100-metre races, distances from 200 to 10,000 metres, steeplechase, long jump and other events.
The stadium also has rooms for players, technical staff, referees, coaches and media representatives, as well as a conference hall and a medical station.
Khankendi City Stadium first opened in 1956. Its reopening after major renovation is presented as an example of state support for sport in Azerbaijan. The project is expected to contribute to the development of sports infrastructure in the liberated territories and reflects the attention given to sport and the healthy development of the younger generation. The construction of Olympic sports complexes, stadiums and other modern facilities in the regions is strengthening Azerbaijan’s standing as a sporting nation. The country hosts major international competitions, and international sports organizations have shown interest in holding events there. These include the FIFA U-15 World Cup and festival, held in Azerbaijan for the first time, and the FIFA U-20 World Cup for men, scheduled for next year.
