Republican Stadion – stadium description

The de facto national stadium of Armenia dates back to early Soviet Union days, remaining in operation since 1935. At that time it was Yerevan's main sporting venue, earning its historical, highly decorative western facade in 1953. Expanded to 18 rows of terracing, the stadium's curves were topped by arcades.

With over 20,000 people able to get inside, the stadium waited for conversion to all-seat mode until 2000. The $3-million project was due to begin in 1995 but was held back for lack of funding. With UEFA's backing the conversion finally began in 1999, seeing the first ever roof over all of the stadium.

The project was carried out during very intense time for Armenia, after the 1999 parliament shooting, in which the prime minister Vazgen Sargsyan was killed. Special decree gave his name to the facility, though to majority of the people it's still most commonly known as the Republican Stadium. But while the name suggests ownership by the republic, it's actually owned by the municipality.

Following the latest renovation works of 2008 it's the best sports venue in Yerevan, which makes it preferable to the large Hrazdan stadium for international games.