Dynamo Stadium

The story of Dynamo Stadium traces back to the very origins of Soviet sport — the original ground opened in 1928 and became for decades one of the most important football venues in the USSR.

Construction and opening

The original Dynamo Stadium was built in 1928, named after the sports club affiliated with the USSR state security apparatus. With an initial capacity exceeding 50,000, it hosted the most prestigious matches of Soviet football for half a century. Ageing infrastructure eventually forced closure, and demolition of the old terraces began around 2011. The new VTB Arena was ceremonially opened on 27 August 2019, ending nearly a decade of reconstruction. Total investment exceeded 24 billion roubles.

Major renovations

The reconstruction was carried out within the historic bowl — a new steel-and-glass stand structure was inserted directly into the original stadium's footprint, preserving the urban identity of Petrovsky Park. The facade blends contemporary architectural language with visual references to Dynamo's heritage. The venue was fully equipped with state-of-the-art media infrastructure, premium hospitality boxes, and modern player facilities built from scratch.

Notable moments

The original stadium's greatest era coincided with Lev Yashin's career in the 1940s–60s — Yashin played his entire career at Dynamo, and the ground became inseparable from his legend. The stadium hosted matches during qualifying for the 1958 World Cup played in Moscow, fixtures at the 1980 Moscow Olympics football tournament, and multiple Soviet league title celebrations for Dynamo. The 2019 reopening was marked by a ceremony attended by club legends and drew widespread attention across Russian football.

FC Dynamo Moscow is one of Russia's oldest and most storied football clubs — its blue-and-white identity and the towering legacy of Lev Yashin give the stadium a resonance that extends far beyond the contemporary game.

Fan culture

Dynamo's decades-long association with the state security services shaped a distinctive club image — a loyal but historically modest-sized supporter base that carries a certain discipline and seriousness. The modern fanbase is increasingly driven by younger supporters who engage primarily with Dynamo's footballing traditions rather than its institutional history. The north stand houses the most vocal supporter groups; chants regularly invoke the memory of Lev Yashin and the club's Soviet-era title victories. The blue-and-white kit is one of Moscow's most recognisable football identities.

Big matches

The original stadium's most celebrated European nights came during Dynamo's runs in UEFA Cup competition in the 1970s and 80s, when the club regularly reached the quarter-finals. On the new ground, the 2019/20 Russian Premier League season opener marked the symbolic handover from old to new. International friendly matches featuring the Russian national team played in Dynamo surroundings always carried an added emotional dimension, amplified by the historic weight of the venue.

Visiting VTB Arena is relatively straightforward for international travellers — the stadium is well connected to the metro network and sits within the pleasant surroundings of Petrovsky Park, which provides an attractive setting before and after the match.

How to get there

• Metro (Line 9): Serpukhovsko-Timiryazevskaya line, station Dynamo — direct exit to the stadium, approximately 3 minutes on foot
• Metro (Line 2): Zamoskvoretskaya line, station Petrovsky Park — approximately 7 minutes' walk through the park
• Taxi/ridesharing: Yandex Go is the most reliable app for a direct journey; on matchdays, ask to be dropped off several minutes away to avoid traffic
• Car: parking around the venue is limited; public transport is strongly recommended

Tickets and tours

Tickets for FC Dynamo Moscow matches are sold via the club's official website and at stadium box offices. Prices are considerably lower than at equivalent Western European grounds; premium visitors can access hospitality boxes and VIP sectors. The stadium offers guided tours that include an exhibition dedicated to Lev Yashin — advance booking through the arena website is recommended.

Visitor tips

• When to arrive: at least 45 minutes before kick-off — security checks are thorough and queues can build quickly at larger fixtures
• Petrovsky Park: take advantage of the park walk before the match; the green surroundings make this one of the most pleasant pre-match settings of any Moscow stadium
• Yashin exhibition: if you have an interest in football history, arrive an hour early to visit the memorial display dedicated to the legendary goalkeeper