Lukoil Arena

The stadium was born from Spartak's long-held ambition to own a dedicated home — the club had shared or rented facilities for most of its existence before the project finally got off the ground.

Construction and opening

Designed by engineering and architecture firm AECOM, construction began on the former Tushino airfield site in 2010 and the stadium was officially inaugurated on 5 September 2014 with a Russian Premier League fixture. Total construction costs were reported at approximately $400 million. Naming rights have changed over time: initially Otkritie Arena (after sponsor Otkritie Bank), then Otkritie Bank Arena, and from 2023 the venue has been known as Lukoil Arena following a sponsorship deal with the Russian oil company Lukoil.

Major renovations

Ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, the stadium underwent significant infrastructure upgrades to meet FIFA's strict requirements for capacity, safety, and hospitality. The seating configuration was temporarily adjusted to 44,190 for tournament use and restored to the standard club configuration of 45,360 after the competition ended.

Notable moments

The 2018 FIFA World Cup brought global attention to the venue. Most memorably, the Group A match Russia vs. Egypt (3:0) was played here before an electrifying home crowd, with the host nation's emphatic victory generating enormous excitement nationwide. A round-of-sixteen match also took place at the ground. For Spartak, the opening match in 2014 marked the end of nearly five decades without a stadium to call their own.

Lukoil Arena generates some of the most intense matchday atmospheres in Russian football, reflecting Spartak's status as the country's most-supported club with a passionate and well-organised fanbase.

Fan culture

Spartak Moscow carries one of the broadest and most organised supporter networks in Russia. The club's ultras groups occupy the end stands, generating choreography, chants, and continuous noise that set the tone for the entire bowl. The iconic red-and-white colours (Krasno-Belyye) fill the stands at every home fixture. Derby rivalries with Zenit St Petersburg and CSKA Moscow are among the most intense in Russian football, routinely filling the stadium to capacity and creating an atmosphere that ranks among the loudest in Eastern European club football.

Big matches

The 2018 FIFA World Cup was the arena's defining international moment — six matches including the electric Russia vs. Egypt group win (3:0) put the stadium on the global map. For Spartak themselves, UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League group-stage evenings attract supporters from across Europe and transform north-west Moscow into a sea of red and white. Each Moscow derby against CSKA or Zenit routinely produces one of the season's standout atmospheres in Russian football.

Getting to Lukoil Arena is straightforward thanks to the dedicated metro station built specifically to serve the stadium, though visitors should allow extra time for the security checks common to Russian football venues.

How to get there

• Metro: Station Spartak (Line 7 — Tagansko-Krasnopresnenskaya, violet line) — opened specifically to serve the stadium; approximately 20 minutes from the city centre
• Car: Via Volokolamskoye Shosse; parking areas are available nearby but fill quickly on matchdays
• On foot: Approximately 5 minutes' walk from Spartak metro station along a clearly marked route

Tickets and tours

Match tickets for FC Spartak Moscow are available through the official club website and partner ticketing platforms. Derby fixtures and European nights typically sell out well in advance. The stadium offers guided tours covering the dressing rooms, players' tunnel, and the Spartak club museum.

Visitor tips

• When to arrive: At least 60–90 minutes before kick-off due to security checks and identification verification at entry gates
• What to bring: Passport or valid ID — identity checks are routine at Russian football venues
• Food and drink: Concession stands and kiosks are available inside the concourse; dining options in the immediate vicinity of the stadium are limited