VTB Arena

The history of this site stretches back to the 1920s — the original Dynamo Stadium opened in 1928 and was for decades one of the most important sporting addresses in Moscow and across the Soviet Union.

Demolition of the old stadium and construction

The original Dynamo Stadium was closed after 2008 and subsequently demolished to make way for the ambitious reconstruction project. The authorities and the club entrusted the architectural design of the new complex to Erick van Egeraat, the internationally recognised Dutch architect known for large-scale urban projects. Construction extended over approximately a decade and was affected by multiple financial and logistical delays. The indoor arena opened in 2019 alongside the football stadium as part of the same integrated development.

Dynamo's Soviet legacy and the new home

Dynamo was the first sports club in the USSR and, for decades, a synonym for Soviet ice hockey. HC Dynamo Moscow is one of the founding members of the Soviet Hockey League and produced scores of national team players who shaped world hockey in the second half of the 20th century. The move to the new arena in 2019 ended a period of temporary arrangements: the club had played at various rented facilities in the preceding seasons while awaiting its purpose-built home.

Notable moments

The most symbolic occasion following the opening was the start of the 2019/2020 KHL season, when Dynamo returned to play on the historic Petrovsky Park site. The arena has since hosted international preparatory hockey matches and a number of high-profile international boxing cards. The reopening of Dynamo's home base was widely covered in Russian sports media as the restoration of a major hockey institution.

The matchday atmosphere inside the VTB Arena indoor venue is among the most intense in Russian hockey — HC Dynamo Moscow carries one of the oldest and most storied fan traditions in continental European ice hockey.

Fan culture

Dynamo's heritage in hockey runs back to 1947 in the Soviet League. The club's blue and white colours fill the arena on every home match night. Dynamo supporters take particular pride in the club's dual identity as both a sporting institution and a piece of Moscow history. The club won the KHL championship in 2012 and 2013, cementing a modern legacy to sit alongside the Soviet-era titles. The traditional rivalry with CSKA Moscow — known as the Great Derby of Russian hockey — brings the arena to its loudest, with fixtures between the two sides counting among the most-watched matches of any KHL season.

Big matches

The Dynamo vs. CSKA derby is one of the defining fixtures in all of European hockey — a clash rooted in Soviet-era rivalry between club and army, now playing out in a modern arena that can generate noise rivalling the best NHL buildings. KHL play-off nights at the indoor arena create an electric atmosphere that international visitors consistently rate among the most memorable in winter sports. Russian hockey crowds are loud, deeply knowledgeable, and passionate — the enclosed arena amplifies that energy to full effect.

Visiting the VTB Arena indoor venue is one of the most accessible ways to experience top-level Russian professional hockey at close range — excellent metro connectivity and affordable tickets make it a compelling destination for sports travellers.

How to get there

• Metro: Station Dinamo (Line 2 — Zamoskvoretskaya, green line) — approximately 5 minutes on foot from the arena entrance; direct connections from central stations Belorusskaya and Teatralnaya
• Bus/trolleybus: Multiple routes along Leningradsky Prospekt stop immediately adjacent to the complex; services are increased on matchdays
• Taxi/ridesharing: Yandex Go provides reliable door-to-door service direct to the arena entrance
• Car: Underground and surface parking is available within the complex; reservation is advised for major derby nights

Tickets and tours

Tickets for HC Dynamo Moscow matches are available through the club's official website and platforms such as Kassir.ru and Ticketland.ru. Prices are significantly lower than equivalent NHL or Western European ice hockey venues. Major derby fixtures against CSKA sell out days in advance; regular KHL fixtures typically have good availability closer to game day. Arena tours can be arranged through the complex's reception.

Visitor tips

• When to arrive: At least 30–45 minutes before face-off; security checks and foyer queues can cause delays on busy nights
• What to wear: Bring a warm layer — indoor ice arenas are climate-controlled to near-freezing temperatures regardless of the season outside
• Food and drink: Cafes and restaurants are integrated into the VTB Arena complex; the area around Dinamo metro station offers a wide selection of additional dining options