Aktobe Arena – design description

Plans for the construction of a new stadium in Aktobe were announced in late 2023 by the akim of the Aktobe Region, Aschat Shakharov. The new venue is set to replace the existing Central Stadium, which was opened in 1975 and has a capacity of just under 13,000 spectators. An expansion of the current facility had previously been considered, but was ultimately deemed too problematic.

The stadium will be built in the southern part of the city, in the rapidly developing Altyn Orda microdistrict. The modern venue will meet the requirements of UEFA Category 4, the highest classification. Its stands will be fully covered by a roof, and thanks to a significant amount of commercial space, the stadium is expected to be financially self-sustaining.

The projected capacity is around 35,000 spectators, which would make it the largest stadium in Kazakhstan, although it could be rivalled by new venues planned in Almaty and Shymkent.

The stadium is part of a broader development plan for a large site, which also includes a 5,000-seat indoor sports hall, a theatre with a 700-seat auditorium, commercial and entertainment facilities, and an extensive park in the shape of a map of Kazakhstan.

Construction of the stadium began in autumn 2025 and is scheduled to last until the end of 2027. According to media reports, the investment will cost around 70 billion tenge.