The Olympic National Sports Complex (also known as Olympic Stadium; uk, Національний спортивний комплекс "Олімпійський", translit=Natsionalnyi sportyvnyi kompleks "Olimpiiskyi") is a multi-use sports and recreation facility in
Kyiv
Kyiv, also spelled Kiev, is the capital and most populous city of Ukraine. It is in north-central Ukraine along the Dnieper River. As of 1 January 2021, its population was 2,962,180, making Kyiv the seventh-most populous city in Europe.
Ky ...
, Ukraine, located on the slopes of the city's central
Cherepanova Hora Cherepanova Hora ( uk, Черепанова гора) is a historical neighbourhood of Kyiv and an elevation.
History
The name appeared after 1815 when a civil governor of Kyiv was Pavel Cherepanov and on the hill was located his manor. On the h ...
(Cherepanov Hill),
Pecherskyi District
Pecherskyi District ( uk, Печерський район) is an urban district of Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine. It lies within the eponymous historical neighborhood, while also including some other historical areas. The Pechersk ( uk, Пече� ...
. The Olympic National Sports Complex Stadium, the home of
FC Dynamo Kyiv
Football Club Dynamo Kyiv (, ) is a Ukrainian professional football club based in Kyiv. Founded in 1927 as a Kyivan football team of republican branch of the bigger Soviet Dynamo Sports Society, the club as a separate business entity was offici ...
, is the premier
sports venue
A sports venue is a building, structure, or place in which a sporting competition is held.
A stadium (plural: stadiums or stadia) or arena is a place or venue for sports or other events and consists of a field or stage either partly or completely ...
in Ukraine and the sixteenth largest in Europe. Since May 2020, the stadium is also used for the home matches of
Shakhtar Donetsk due to the
war in Donbas. The complex beside its stadium also features several other sports facilities and is designed to host the
Olympic Games
The modern Olympic Games or Olympics (french: link=no, Jeux olympiques) are the leading international sporting events featuring summer and winter sports competitions in which thousands of athletes from around the world participate in a multi ...
(the stadium hosted some
football
Football is a family of team sports that involve, to varying degrees, kicking a ball to score a goal. Unqualified, the word ''football'' normally means the form of football that is the most popular where the word is used. Sports commonly ...
matches at the
1980 Summer Olympics
The 1980 Summer Olympics (russian: Летние Олимпийские игры 1980, Letniye Olimpiyskiye igry 1980), officially known as the Games of the XXII Olympiad (russian: Игры XXII Олимпиады, Igry XXII Olimpiady) and commo ...
).
Following extensive renovation works, including the construction of a new roof, the stadium was reopened on 9 October 2011 with a performance by
Shakira
Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll ( , ; born 2 February 1977), professionally known by the mononym Shakira, is a Colombian singer and songwriter. Born and raised in Barranquilla, she has been referred to as the "Honorific nicknames in popular ...
and had its international inauguration with a 3–3 friendly draw by
Ukraine
Ukraine ( uk, Україна, Ukraïna, ) is a country in Eastern Europe. It is the second-largest European country after Russia, which it borders to the east and northeast. Ukraine covers approximately . Prior to the ongoing Russian inva ...
against
Germany
Germany,, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It is the second most populous country in Europe after Russia, and the most populous member state of the European Union. Germany is situated betwee ...
on 11 November 2011. It hosted the
final
Final, Finals or The Final may refer to:
*Final (competition), the last or championship round of a sporting competition, match, game, or other contest which decides a winner for an event
** Another term for playoffs, describing a sequence of con ...
of the
UEFA Euro 2012
The 2012 UEFA European Football Championship, commonly referred to as UEFA Euro 2012 or simply Euro 2012, was the 14th European Championship for men's national football teams organised by UEFA. The final tournament, held between 8 June and 1 ...
and the
2018 UEFA Champions League Final.
History
After
Ukrainian independence in 1991, the stadium was given national status in 1996 and renamed again as the "Olympic" National Sports Complex. Kyivans still commonly refer to it as the ''Tsentralny'' (Central) or ''Respublykanskyi stadion'' (Republican Stadium), and the nearby
metro station "
Olimpiiska" that was also called "Respublykanskyi Stadion".
In 1997–99, the stadium was renovated again in accordance with
FIFA
FIFA (; stands for ''Fédération Internationale de Football Association'' (French), meaning International Association Football Federation ) is the international governing body of association football, beach football and futsal. It was found ...
guidelines, and its capacity was reduced to 83,450. The stadium continued to be the home ground of Dynamo with the Lobanovsky stadium serving as a training ground. Sometime after 1998 big changes took place as it was no longer efficient to keep and maintain the stadium as a club ground. Dynamo decided to reconstruct the Lobanovsky Dynamo Stadium as its primary ground because match attendances rarely exceeded 10,000 spectators. Since that time Olympic has been used primarily for
football
Football is a family of team sports that involve, to varying degrees, kicking a ball to score a goal. Unqualified, the word ''football'' normally means the form of football that is the most popular where the word is used. Sports commonly ...
international matches and was lent to
FC Dynamo Kyiv
Football Club Dynamo Kyiv (, ) is a Ukrainian professional football club based in Kyiv. Founded in 1927 as a Kyivan football team of republican branch of the bigger Soviet Dynamo Sports Society, the club as a separate business entity was offici ...
for high-profile home games when a high attendance was expected. However it is not the official home ground of Dynamo or any other Kyiv club, as they all have smaller home stadiums and training bases. The stadium is an official home ground of the
Ukraine national football team
The Ukraine national football team ( uk, Збірна України з футболу) represents Ukraine in men's international football and is governed by the Ukrainian Association of Football, the governing body for football in Ukraine. Uk ...
and was the official venue of the
Ukrainian Cup final until 2008. From 2008 Olympic underwent a major reconstruction in preparation for the continental championship.
Previous names
For most of its history the stadium was known as the Republican Stadium.
* 1923–1924:
Red Stadium named
L. Trotsky
* 1924–1935: Red Stadium
* 1936–1938:
Republican Stadium named
S. Kosior
* 1938–1941: Republican Stadium
* 1941; 1943–1962: Republican Stadium named
N. Khrushchev (50,000 capacity in 1941; reduced to 47,756 in 1944)
**
Occupation by National Socialist Germany 1941–1943: All-Ukrainian Stadium
* 1962–1979: Central Stadium (100,062 capacity in 1967)
* 1980–1996: Republican Stadium
* 1996–present: Olympic National Sports Complex
(83,450 capacity in 1999; reduced to 70,050 in 2011)
1980 Summer Olympics
Three
Group C and three
Group D Group D may refer to:
* FIA Group D - International Formula racing cars:
** Formula Two
** Formula Three
** Formula 3000
* One of six or eight groups of four teams competing at the FIFA World Cup
** 2022 FIFA World Cup Group D
** 2018 FIFA Wo ...
matches, as well as a quarter-final were scheduled for here, a total of seven games. In the first match on 20 July,
East Germany
East Germany, officially the German Democratic Republic (GDR; german: Deutsche Demokratische Republik, , DDR, ), was a country that existed from its creation on 7 October 1949 until German reunification, its dissolution on 3 October 1990. In t ...
tied with
Spain
, image_flag = Bandera de España.svg
, image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg
, national_motto = '' Plus ultra'' (Latin)(English: "Further Beyond")
, national_anthem = (English: "Royal March")
, ...
by a scoreline of 1–1. The one quarterfinal, held on 27 July 1980, saw
East Germany
East Germany, officially the German Democratic Republic (GDR; german: Deutsche Demokratische Republik, , DDR, ), was a country that existed from its creation on 7 October 1949 until German reunification, its dissolution on 3 October 1990. In t ...
thrash
Iraq
Iraq,; ku, عێراق, translit=Êraq officially the Republic of Iraq, '; ku, کۆماری عێراق, translit=Komarî Êraq is a country in Western Asia. It is bordered by Turkey to Iraq–Turkey border, the north, Iran to Iran–Iraq ...
by the record-breaking score of 4–0 on the way to their third title.
Matches at 1980 Summer Olympics
Euro 2012
On 18 April 2007, Poland and Ukraine were chosen by
UEFA
Union of European Football Associations (UEFA ; french: Union des associations européennes de football; german: Union der europäischen Fußballverbände) is one of six continental bodies of governance in association football. It governs fo ...
to co-host the finals of
Euro 2012
The 2012 UEFA European Football Championship, commonly referred to as UEFA Euro 2012 or simply Euro 2012, was the 14th European Championship for men's national football teams organised by UEFA. The final tournament, held between 8 June and 1 ...
, with the Olimpiyskiy Stadium set to host the final. The reconstruction of the stadium involved the demolition and rebuilding of the lower tier, a completely new west stand with a two-level press box, luxury boxes between the two tiers, the addition of a 13-storey high-rise building to the west (to house the Sheraton Kyiv Olimpiysky Hotel), and the addition of a new roof (of unique design) covering the entire seating area. The capacity of the stadium after the reconstruction is 70,050. Reconstruction began on 1 December 2008, when the winner of a tender was announced. It was scheduled to be finished in 2011. The stadium was officially opened by
Ukrainian President
The president of Ukraine ( uk, Президент України, Prezydent Ukrainy) is the head of state of Ukraine. The president represents the nation in international relations, administers the foreign political activity of the state, cond ...
Viktor Yanukovych
Viktor Fedorovych Yanukovych ( uk, Віктор Федорович Янукович, ; ; born 9 July 1950) is a former politician who served as the fourth president of Ukraine from 2010 until he was removed from office in the Revolution of D ...
on 8 October 2011.
The three
Group D Group D may refer to:
* FIA Group D - International Formula racing cars:
** Formula Two
** Formula Three
** Formula 3000
* One of six or eight groups of four teams competing at the FIFA World Cup
** 2022 FIFA World Cup Group D
** 2018 FIFA Wo ...
matches involving
Sweden
Sweden, formally the Kingdom of Sweden,The United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names states that the country's formal name is the Kingdom of SwedenUNGEGN World Geographical Names, Sweden./ref> is a Nordic countries, Nordic c ...
, a quarter-final and the final were scheduled for here (with the other matches in Group D being played at the
Donbass Arena
Donbass Arena ( uk, Донба́с Аре́на ; is a stadium with a natural grass pitch in Donetsk, Ukraine, that opened on 29 August 2009. The facility is located in the center of the city, in the Lenin Comsomol park. With a capacity of 52,18 ...
). In the first match, Ukraine beat Sweden by a scoreline of 2–1.
The final
Final, Finals or The Final may refer to:
*Final (competition), the last or championship round of a sporting competition, match, game, or other contest which decides a winner for an event
** Another term for playoffs, describing a sequence of cont ...
, held on 1 July 2012, saw
Spain
, image_flag = Bandera de España.svg
, image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg
, national_motto = '' Plus ultra'' (Latin)(English: "Further Beyond")
, national_anthem = (English: "Royal March")
, ...
thrash
Italy
Italy ( it, Italia ), officially the Italian Republic, ) or the Republic of Italy, is a country in Southern Europe. It is located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, and its territory largely coincides with the homonymous geographical ...
by the record-breaking score of 4–0 on the way to their third title.
Matches at Euro 2012
Concerts
When international music superstars or bands come to Kyiv, their concerts are often held in this stadium, as it is the biggest in Ukraine and one of the biggest in Europe. Artists to have performed here include
George Michael
George Michael (born Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou; 25 June 1963 – 25 December 2016) was an English singer and songwriter. He is considered one of the most significant cultural icons of the MTV generation and is one of the best-selling music ...
and
Shakira
Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll ( , ; born 2 February 1977), professionally known by the mononym Shakira, is a Colombian singer and songwriter. Born and raised in Barranquilla, she has been referred to as the "Honorific nicknames in popular ...
.
The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones are an English rock band formed in London in 1962. Active for six decades, they are one of the most popular and enduring bands of the rock era. In the early 1960s, the Rolling Stones pioneered the gritty, rhythmically dr ...
were scheduled to perform at the stadium on 25 July 2007 as part of their
A Bigger Bang Tour
A Bigger Bang was a worldwide concert tour by the Rolling Stones which took place between August 2005 and August 2007, in support of their album ''A Bigger Bang''. At the time, it was the highest grossing tour of all time, earning $558,255,524 ...
, but the concert was moved to
Warsaw
Warsaw ( pl, Warszawa, ), officially the Capital City of Warsaw,, abbreviation: ''m.st. Warszawa'' is the capital and largest city of Poland. The metropolis stands on the River Vistula in east-central Poland, and its population is officiall ...
, Poland because of political crisis and early parliament elections in Ukraine.
On 25 July 2012 was concert of world-famous rock-bands
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Red Hot Chili Peppers are an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1983, comprising vocalist Anthony Kiedis, bassist Flea, drummer Chad Smith, and guitarist John Frusciante. Their music incorporates elements of alternative rock, funk ...
,
Kasabian
Kasabian ( ) are an English rock band formed in Leicester in 1997 by lead vocalist Tom Meighan, guitarist and occasional vocalist Sergio Pizzorno, guitarist Chris Karloff, and bassist Chris Edwards. Drummer Ian Matthews joined in 2004. Ka ...
and
The Vaccines.
Madonna
Madonna Louise Ciccone (; ; born August 16, 1958) is an American singer-songwriter and actress. Widely dubbed the " Queen of Pop", Madonna has been noted for her continual reinvention and versatility in music production, songwriting, a ...
performed a concert at the stadium on 4 August 2012 as part of her
The MDNA Tour. 31,022 people visited her show.
Depeche Mode
Depeche Mode are an English electronic music band formed in Basildon, Essex, in 1980. The band currently consists of Dave Gahan (lead vocals and co-songwriting) and Martin Gore (keyboards, guitar, co-lead vocals and main songwriting).
Depech ...
performed at the stadium on 29 June 2013 during their
The Delta Machine Tour
The Delta Machine Tour was a worldwide concert tour by English electronic music band Depeche Mode in support of the group's 13th studio album, ''Delta Machine'', released 22 March 2013. Following a warm-up show in Nice, France on 4 May 2013, t ...
, in front of a crowd of 36,562 people.
Famous Ukrainian rock-band
Okean Elzy
Okean Elzy ( uk, Океан Ельзи, translation: ''Elza's Ocean'') is a Ukrainian rock band. It was formed in 1994 in Lviv, Ukraine. The band's vocalist and frontman is Svyatoslav Vakarchuk. In April 2007 Okean Elzy received ''FUZZ Magazine' ...
performed and celebrate on the stadium their 20 anniversary on 21 June 2014. 71,045 people visited the show. The band again performed here the sold-out show on 18 June 2016 as a part of their 2016–2017 world tour.
Aerosmith
Aerosmith is an American rock band formed in Boston in 1970. The group consists of Steven Tyler (lead vocals), Joe Perry (guitar), Tom Hamilton (bass), Joey Kramer (drums) and Brad Whitford (guitar). Their style, which is rooted in blues ...
were scheduled to perform at the stadium on 2 July 2014 as part of their
Global Warming Tour
The Global Warming Tour, by American hard rock band Aerosmith, included 82 concert performances across North America, Oceania, Asia, Latin America, and Europe.
"It's something so magical," remarked Steven Tyler. "Other people see it. We don't, ...
, but the concert was cancelled due to
Russian military intervention to Ukraine.
Adjacent infrastructure
Transportation
The stadium is located right in the centre of Kyiv on the right bank of the River Dnipro. The stadium can be approached mainly by either Velyka Vasylkivska Street or Lesi Ukrainki Boulevard. Both streets' southern ends connect to the
European route E95
The European route E95 is a road in Europe and a part of the United Nations International E-road network. Approximately long, it connects Saint Petersburg with Merzifon in north central Turkey. Between its northern terminus in Russia and its ...
, which is known at that part of the city as Druzhby Narodiv Boulevard. However the main arena of the complex does not have a direct access to the mentioned streets and can only be reached through several smaller streets such as Fizkultury, Saksahanskoho, Shota Rustaveli, Esplanadna Streets and Hospitalny Lane.
There are several subway stations on the
Kyiv Metro located within walking distance: "
Olimpiiska" (~) and "
Palats Sportu" (~). These are usually closed during matches. It is possible to use other nearby stations
Klovska,
Zoloti Vorota,
Teatralna,
Palats "Ukrayina". In December 2010, Kyiv City State Administration renamed the subway station "Respublikansky Stadion" as "Olimpiiska".
Sports facilities
*
National University of Ukraine on Physical Education and Sport
National University of Ukraine on Physical Education and Sport is a Ukrainian university in Kyiv.
History
The university opened in 1930 as the National Institute of Physical Education of Ukraine in Kharkiv. In 1944 the institute was transferred ...
*
House of Football
House of Football ( uk, Будинок футболу, Budynok futbolu) is a headquarters of the Football Federation of Ukraine located in Kyiv, Ukraine, right next to the Olympiyskiy National Sports Complex.
The construction of the building st ...
*
Palace of Sports (indoor arena)
*
Bannikov Stadium
Navchanlno-trenuvalnyi kompleks imeni Viktora Bannikova (Viktor Bannikov training complex) is a small football stadium located close to the House of Football and the Olympic Stadium in Kyiv, Ukraine. The stadium is named after a goalkeeper of ...
(Viktor Bannikov training complex)
* Atlet
track and field
Track and field is a sport that includes athletic contests based on running, jumping, and throwing skills. The name is derived from where the sport takes place, a running track and a grass field for the throwing and some of the jumping eve ...
training complex
Tourist attractions
* Hotels: Rus, President Hotel, Sheraton
*
Kyiv Fortress National Park
Hospitals
See also
*
List of football stadiums in Ukraine
References
External links
Journal of reconstruction «Olympic» NSC Fairytales about logotypes of «Olympic» NSC Atmosphere and Pictures from Olimpiyskiy*
Financial overview of construction (article)*
Location of the stadium on the META maps* Web cameras:
:
Top view:
Side view
{{Authority control
Music venues completed in 1923
Olimpiyskyi
Sports venues in Kyiv
Athletics (track and field) venues in the Soviet Union
Olimpiyskyi
Olimpiyskyi
Ukraine
Ukraine ( uk, Україна, Ukraïna, ) is a country in Eastern Europe. It is the second-largest European country after Russia, which it borders to the east and northeast. Ukraine covers approximately . Prior to the ongoing Russian inva ...
UEFA Euro 2012 stadiums in Ukraine
Olimpiyskyi
Olympic football venues
Tourist attractions in Kyiv
Gerkan, Marg and Partners buildings
Football venues in Kyiv
FC Dynamo Kyiv
Sports venues completed in 1923
Pecherskyi District
UEFA European Championship final stadiums
1923 establishments in Ukraine
Athletics in Kyiv