Noah Park – design description

What is the Noah Park project in brief?

FC Noah was founded in 2017 and quickly rose to become one of the leading Armenian football clubs, even establishing itself in European competitions. However, the team does not have its own stadium and has so far played its home matches at various venues in Yerevan and nearby cities.

At the end of 2020, the club leased from the Football Federation of Armenia a training complex located in Vagharshapat (Etchmiadzin), approximately 20 km west of Yerevan. It is here that the new stadium is planned to be built, adjacent to the existing complex. The initial concept, along with a broader vision for the development of the academy, was presented in May 2026.

The FC Noah stadium is set to meet UEFA Category 4 requirements and will have a capacity of approximately 15,500 spectators on single-tier, fully covered stands. As part of the wider development of the academy site, new pitches, accommodation facilities, restaurants, as well as green areas, parking spaces, and a fountain are also planned.

Who are FC Noah?

FC Noah is a football club founded in 2017. Initially established by individuals connected to Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh), it was originally named FC Artsakh. In 2019, Karen Abrahamyan became the club’s new owner, and the club was renamed FC Noah, in reference to the biblical Noah, whose Ark is believed in tradition to have come to rest on Mount Ararat.

The club started competing in the second tier of Armenian football but earned promotion to the Premier League in its first season (2017/18), where it has remained ever since. The team quickly established itself among the country’s top clubs: in 2020, it won the Armenian Cup and finished as league runners-up, while its first league title came in the 2024/25 season.

The club has also achieved notable results in European competitions, reaching the league phase of the UEFA Europa Conference League in back-to-back seasons (2024/25 and 2025/26). Since August 2023, the club has been owned by businessman Vardges Vardanyan.

Where do FC Noah play their home matches?

FC Noah identifies as a club from the Armenian capital, Yerevan. However, the team does not have its own stadium and initially played its home matches at the Mika and Alashkert stadiums in Yerevan, as well as at the Football Academy complex in the Avan district.

Later, the club used stadiums in cities located near Yerevan – Armavir and Abovyan. Currently, the team plays its home matches in Abovyan at the Vahagn Tumasyan Stadium.

Where is FC Noah’s academy located?

At the end of 2020, the club leased a training complex in Vagharshapat from the Football Federation of Armenia. The facility was built between 2016 and 2017 with support from FIFA and UEFA. After being taken over by the club, it began to serve as FC Noah’s academy.

The academy consists of four full-size football pitches, along with additional facilities.

It is located on the southern outskirts of Vagharshapat, also known as Etchmiadzin. The city is known for its historic cathedral, the oldest and most important religious building in Armenia. Vagharshapat lies approximately 20 km west of Yerevan, with Zvartnots International Airport situated between the city and the capital.

When were the plans for FC Noah’s new stadium announced?

Information about FC Noah’s plans to build a new stadium first emerged in September 2025. The facility was intended to be built adjacent to the club’s academy in Vagharshapat, which was also planned for expansion.

In October 2025, the club purchased land plots adjacent to the academy site, investing one billion drams. Of this amount, 688 million drams were paid to the Government of Armenia for the land, while the remaining 312 million were transferred to the authorities of Vagharshapat as a donation.

On 18 May 2026, FC Noah officially inaugurated a new building on the academy site. The ceremony was attended by, among others, Portuguese footballer Luís Figo, as well as high-ranking representatives of the Armenian government. During the event, the club also presented further development plans for the academy, along with a concept for a new FC Noah stadium adjacent to it.

What will the new FC Noah stadium be like?

The modern stadium is planned to have a capacity of approximately 15,500 spectators and meet UEFA Category 4 requirements. It will feature single-tier, fully covered stands forming a closed ring around the pitch.

In addition to the stadium itself, the project also includes a broader expansion of the existing training centre. New pitches, accommodation facilities for academy players, restaurants, and a club shop are planned in the surroundings of the current complex.

The development will also introduce new green areas, playgrounds, public squares, and parking spaces. A large fountain is planned next to the stadium.

The expanded academy is intended not only to serve FC Noah, but also to contribute to the development of Armenian football and the nurturing of new talent that will form the backbone of the national team in the future.

The project was designed by the Italian architectural practices GAU Arena (known, among others, for their work on the new Juventus stadium project) and Atelier(s) Alfonso Femia, in collaboration with B&C Associati and TEKNE.

The concept presented in May 2026 is of a preliminary nature and focuses on establishing the development framework for the entire academy site. The final version of the stadium design is expected to be presented at a later stage.