Handed over, now officially approved for use. With a brand new name, CSKA Arena is now inviting people to its ticket offices as season ticket sale begins.

After a decade of exile it’s finally here. The new CSKA stadium isn’t only handed over by contractors, it’s also been granted permit for regular use. The building is thus able to host its first game, though of course some furnishing and finishing works are still ongoing in the extensive facilities spreading over 171,000 m2.

Opening game is now confirmed to be played on September 10, which is exactly the same day Liverpool FC are opening their expanded stadium. But while Liverpool will face the reigning champions of England, in Russia CSKA are the champions and the Chechen Terek Groznyi will try and spoil the inauguration.

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Initially the stadium was to open earlier this summer with the Russian Super Cup game against Zenit St. Petersburg, but works weren’t done in time.

Despite missing several first games of the season, CSKA have launched a season ticket sale earlier today. The price fans have to pay is a hefty one in Russian conditions. The single cheapest area of the stadium, northern most fanatic end with standing room, will cost RUB 7,000 per season (or $110). Meanwhile the most expensive spot of the stadium is a true luxury at RUB 208,000 ($3,250) per season.

Today’s launch of sale for those extending their last year’s tickets didn’t see crowds storming the stadium, quite the opposite. But this doesn’t necessarily mean the stadium won’t be full on opening day and later on. With long uncertainty over opening the ticket campaign was launched late, with short notice.

What we may be sure of is that the temporary name of Stadion CSKA is no longer valid. From now on the building is named CSKA Arena.