Bishkek Arena – design description

When were the plans for Kyrgyzstan's new national stadium conceived?

The idea of building a new national stadium in Kyrgyzstan has been discussed since at least 2014. Until now, the role of the country's most important stadium has been held by Dolen Omurzakov Stadium, located in the center of the capital, Bishkek. This facility was opened in 1941, but is now far from being a modern sports venue.

On July 20, 2015, the director of the government agency for physical education and sport, Sheyshenkul Bakirov, announced the construction of a multi-purpose sports complex, including a stadium, near Manas International Airport. Nothing ultimately came of these plans.

The matter gained new momentum during the presidency of Sadyr Japarov. He first announced the construction of a new stadium in December 2021. Another declaration was made on June 14, 2022, after the match against Tajikistan that concluded the successful qualifiers for the 2023 Asian Cup.

A day later, the president's press secretary, Erbol Sultanbaev, published the first renderings of the new stadium. According to the plans at the time, the venue was to have an athletics track, with an assumed capacity of 22,500 spectators.

Where will Kyrgyzstan's national stadium be built?

The stadium is planned to be built in the village of Orok, in the south-western suburbs of Bishkek, where a 20.78ha plot of land has been selected. In July 2022, the government changed the status of the site, which previously had been zoned for agriculture. Construction was due to start as early as August 2022, but the announced start of work at that time has not yet taken place.

When did the construction of Kyrgyzstan's national stadium begin?

In May 2023, Kyrgyzstan was visited by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who attended the opening of the new headquarters of the Kyrgyz Football Union. On the occasion, Infantino also spoke about the need for a new stadium in the country.

On August 30, 2023, a ceremony was held in Oruk to inaugurate the construction. During the ceremony, the foundation stone was laid and a time capsule was placed. The event was attended by, among others, the country's president, Sadyr Japarov, as well as a delegation from FC Barcelona led by its president, Joan Laporta, who were visiting Kyrgyzstan for the opening of the club's academy and the start of construction of another one.

New plans for the future stadium were also given on the occasion. The facility was to be a football-specific one this time (without an athletics track), with a capacity of 35,000 spectators.

Despite the ceremony, no proper work on the construction of the stadium began afterwards. The topic was revisited on February 19, 2024 by the newly elected president of the Kyrgyz Football Union, Kamchybek Tashiev, who stated that construction of the stadium would begin within 10-15 days.

Work did not start again, but on March 15, 2024, the head of the presidential administration, Kanybek Tumanbaev, presented brand new renderings of the future national stadium. According to Tumanbaev, the concept has been prepared in cooperation with renowned foreign architectural practices, and construction should start in the coming days after the release.

On April 22, 2024, Kyrgyzstan's President Sadyr Japarov released additional renderings via his social media and announced the start of construction.

The stadium is expected to be built within two years. The cost of construction has not been given, but it is understood that it will be covered by the state budget.

What will Kyrgyzstan's national stadium be like?

According to plans announced in March 2024, the venue is expected to hold 45,000 spectators. The stadium will have a football-specific layout, although it will adopt a circular shape from the outside. The venue is to combine the features of a modern sports facility with traditional architecture. The external appearance of the building is intended to resemble a yurt and the facility will be rich in distinctive local design.

The stadium will meet all the necessary conditions for hosting football matches and other events at the world's top level. The facility will be equipped with a variety of amenities, VIP boxes and shops, while outside there will be recreational areas and a car park for 1,500 cars and 100 buses.