Lyla Lindsey
The Baku Olympic Stadium in Baku, Azerbaijan, is a sight to behold. Located near Boyukshor Lake, the stadium was constructed to meet international standards set by the UEFA, FIFA, and the IAAF. It is the largest stadium in Azerbaijan, with a seating capacity of 68,700 people. The six-storey structure, standing at 60 meters tall, covers an area of 205,000 square meters and is surrounded by a 500,000 square meter site. The stadium, which opened in March 2015, is the home of Azerbaijan's national football team and has hosted numerous prestigious events, including the European Games, UEFA European Championships, and UEFA Europa League matches. With its impressive size, modern design, and convenient accessibility, the Baku Olympic Stadium is a true landmark of sports architecture.
What You'll Learn
The stadium's construction and design
The Baku Olympic Stadium in Azerbaijan was designed by Heerim Architects and Planners Co. Ltd, with construction carried out by Tekfen Construction and Installation Co., Inc. The project was funded by the State Oil Company of the Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR).
The stadium's design was inspired by the 12th-century Azeri monument, the Maiden Tower, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The dynamic stadium facade embodies the image of a burning flame, symbolising Azerbaijan as the "land of fire". The building was also designed to be structurally stable, with the ability to withstand wind and seismic shocks. The stadium is oval-shaped to accommodate a 400-metre running track and sits on a perfect circular platform.
The construction of the stadium was fast-tracked, with an aggressive 18- to 24-month design and build schedule. The project team performed design and construction simultaneously and used advanced modelling and automation techniques to meet the tight deadline. The structural design used piled raft foundations, a system more typical of high-rise buildings, to maximise design flexibility. The stadium's facade features diamond-shaped panels, which allowed for substantial savings in steel tonnage, resulting in cost savings and environmental benefits.
The Baku Olympic Stadium has a seating capacity of 68,000 to 69,870 people, making it the largest stadium in Azerbaijan. It is a six-storey, 60- to 65.7-metre structure, covering 205,000 square metres of a 500,000-square-metre site. The total layout of the stadium is 617,000 square metres.
The Empire of Azerbaijan: A Historical Origin Story
You may want to see also
Transport and parking
Baku Olympic Stadium is located near Boyukshor Lake in Baku, Azerbaijan. The stadium is accessible by train, bus, car, air, and on foot.
By Train
The nearest train station to the stadium is 'Railway Station', or you can take the underground to Koroglu station, which is a short walk from the stadium.
By Bus
Bus numbers 11, 20, 24, 36, 93, and 94 all stop at Milli Stadion, right outside the stadium.
By Car
If driving, look out for the E50/Р-217, which will take you towards the stadium. There is parking for more than 3,000 cars at the venue, though a number of these spaces are reserved for VIPs.
By Air
The closest airport to the city of Baku is Heydar Aliyev International Airport, which is about 15 miles from the centre.
On Foot
Walking from the city centre to the stadium will take around 2-4 hours, depending on your speed.
Famous Skyscrapers of Azerbaijan: A Guide to the Country's Tallest Buildings
You may want to see also
Stadium tours
Baku Olympic Stadium, also known as Baku National Stadium, is located near Boyukshor Lake in Baku, Azerbaijan. The stadium is easily accessible by metro, with the Koroglu station just a short walk away.
The stadium is also accessible by bus, car, and taxi. Bus numbers 11, 20, 24, 36, 93, and 94 stop at Milli Stadion, right outside the stadium. If driving, look out for the E50/Р-217 highway. A taxi from the city centre costs about 20 AZN and takes around 10 minutes.
The Baku Olympic Stadium is the largest stadium in Azerbaijan, with a seating capacity of 68,700 to 69,870 people. It was built to meet international standards set by UEFA, FIFA, and the IAAF and has hosted various football and athletic events, including the 2015 European Games and the 2019 UEFA Europa League Final.
Exploring Azerbaijan's Unique Landlocked Geography
You may want to see also
Ticket prices and availability
Ticket prices for the Baku Olympic Stadium vary depending on the event. For example, Champions League matches will be more expensive than Azerbaijani Premier League games. The ticket market is also influenced by supply and demand and the importance of the event, so ticket prices fluctuate throughout the season. On the resale market, tickets tend to average €89 per ticket, but can start as low as €31 per ticket.
Tickets can usually be purchased at the stadium or through the club's website. However, clubs often don't have control over ticketing when it comes to competitions like the UEFA Champions League. For national team games, ticket prices depend on the opposing team and the competition. A friendly game against England, for example, would likely be cheaper than a World Cup qualifying match against Armenia.
The stadium offers guided tours for 5 AZN for adults, 2 AZN for concessions, and 1 AZN for children up to 15 years old. The tour includes access to areas such as the changing rooms, the players' tunnel, and the side of the pitch near the dugouts. Tours are available on weekdays from 12 pm to 4 pm and last about 60 minutes.
A Beginner's Guide: Buying Bitcoin in Azerbaijan
You may want to see also
The history of Azerbaijani football
The Baku Olympic Stadium is located near Boyukshor Lake in Baku, Azerbaijan. It was constructed to meet international standards set by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), and the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF). The stadium, which opened in March 2015, is the largest in Azerbaijan with a seating capacity of 68,000 to 69,870 people.
Azerbaijani football dates back to the early 20th century when the country was part of the Russian Empire. The sport gained popularity and in 1905, the first football teams were established in Baku, mainly representing the city's major oil companies. The "Circle of Football Players of Surakhany", "Stela", "Friends of Sport", and "Sportsman" are among the earliest known teams. In 1911, Baku held its first official championship, with the "British Club" team claiming victory.
In 1912, Azerbaijani players had their first international match, winning 4-2 against the local "Sokol" team in Tbilisi, Georgia. This was followed by a series of matches between Azerbaijani and Georgian teams in 1912-1913, first in Tbilisi and then in Baku. The Football Union was founded in Azerbaijan in 1914, organising official city championships and other competitions.
During the Soviet era (1920s-1991), football continued to develop in Azerbaijan. The oldest records of football teams in this period are from 1926-1927, when the Trans-Caucasian Championship was organised in Tbilisi with the participation of Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia. In 1926, Azerbaijani players travelled to Baku to play against a Tehran XI (a combined team from Tehran Club, Toofan F.C., and Armenian Sports Club), marking the first away football match for an Iranian team. In the following years, friendly matches were played between Azerbaijan and Iran in both Baku and Tehran, with Azerbaijani players winning all encounters.
The 1960s is considered the Golden Age of Azerbaijani football, producing notable players such as Anatoliy Banishevskiy, Alakbar Mammadov, and referee Tofiq Bahramov. Bahramov gained fame as the linesman who awarded England the winning goal in the 1966 World Cup Final against West Germany.
After Azerbaijan gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, the Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan (AFFA) was formed, and the country's national team began playing more officially as their own representative side. In 1992, their first international match after independence was played against Georgia. Azerbaijan was accepted into FIFA and UEFA in 1994 and has participated in the qualification rounds of every major tournament since the 1996 European Championships. However, they have yet to qualify for the finals of a World Cup or European Championship.
The Baku National Stadium, completed in 2015, became the new home of the Azerbaijan national team, replacing the Tofiq Bahramov Stadium. The new stadium hosted the 2015 European Games and has since been a venue for various UEFA and FIFA competitions.
Azerbaijani football has a rich history, with a strong foundation laid in the early 20th century and further development during the Soviet era. The sport continues to grow, with the country hosting major events and striving to qualify for international tournaments.
Stamps of History: 1919 Azerbaijan Issues' Value
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The Baku Olympic Stadium is located near Boyukshor Lake in Baku, Azerbaijan.
The stadium is conveniently located between the city and the international airport. It is 11 km away from the city centre and can be reached by car, bus, train, or metro. The nearest metro station is Koroglu, which is a short walk from the stadium. Bus numbers 11, 20, 24, 36, 93, and 94 stop right outside the stadium at Milli Stadion.
Ticket prices vary depending on the event and the opponent. A match against a lower-ranked team in a World Cup qualifier will likely be cheaper than a friendly against a higher-ranked team like England.
The stadium has a seating capacity of 68,700 to 69,870 people, making it the largest stadium in Azerbaijan.
The stadium has hosted several UEFA and FIFA events, including the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2015 European Games, the 2019 UEFA Europa League Final, and three group games and a quarterfinal at the UEFA Euro 2020.
