Olimpiya Stadioni – stadium description

What does the Olympic Stadium in Tashkent look like in brief?

The Olympic Stadium in Tashkent was built as the central element of a large sports complex, which also includes a velodrome, swimming pool, two sports halls, the new headquarters of the Ministry of Sports, and the Olympic Village. The complex was developed on the eastern outskirts of Uzbekistan’s capital.

The stadium accommodates 12,000 spectators, features an athletics track, and is topped by a lightweight, oval structure that forms both the roof and the facade.

The facility was constructed between 2022 and 2025 with the Asian Youth Games in mind, but the event was relocated due to concerns about delays in completion. Shortly after opening, however, the stadium hosted matches – including the final – of the CAFA Nations Cup.

How was the Olympic Stadium in Tashkent built?

The driving force behind the construction of the modern sports complex was the planned hosting of the 2025 Asian Youth Games, awarded to Tashkent in September 2019. The stadium was intended to be the centerpiece of the complex.

The initial architectural concept for the new complex, prepared by the British firm Arup, was presented on March 7, 2022. The project was later further developed in cooperation with the main contractor, China’s CAMC Engineering.

Construction was officially launched on November 9, 2022, with a groundbreaking ceremony attended by the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev. At the end of 2024, due to concerns over timely completion, the National Olympic Committee withdrew from hosting the Games, which were subsequently moved to Bahrain.

When was the Olympic Stadium in Tashkent inaugurated?

Both the stadium and the entire complex were inaugurated on August 18, 2025, again with the participation of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. The project cost came to just under USD 290 million.

At the turn of August and September 2025, the new stadium hosted its first international event, staging part of the matches (including the final) of the 2nd edition of the CAFA Nations Cup, a football tournament featuring national teams from Central Asia.

In the final played on September 8, 2025, Uzbekistan defeated Iran 1–0 after extra time, winning the trophy for the first time.

What does the Olympic Stadium in Tashkent look like?

The stadium has a multifunctional design and features a nine-lane athletics track. The track is surrounded by a ring of stands divided into four sections – two along the straights and two on the curves.

The main stand, located on the western side, is larger than the others and consists of two tiers as well as VIP boxes. Two large LED screens have been installed on the curved sections. The stadium has a seating capacity of 12,000, and the seats are colored in the same tones as the Uzbek flag.

The stands are fully covered, and the exterior features a decorative facade composed of continuous horizontal slats. The roof and facade form a single structure, creating a light shell that envelops the building. A large portion of the roof is covered with a white membrane, and the entire structure rests on sturdy metal columns.

What is located around the Olympic Stadium in Tashkent?

The stadium was built as the centerpiece of a new sports complex known as “olimpiya shaharchasi” (“olympic city”).

The complex also includes other high-standard sports facilities: an indoor cycling track with stands for 2,200 spectators, an Olympic-size swimming pool, and two sports halls seating 2,000 each, dedicated to team sports and combat sports respectively.

The center also houses a building containing the new headquarters of the Ministry of Sports, the Anti-Doping Agency, the State Sports Academy, the Research Institute of Physical Culture, and the Center for the Development of Sports.

The infrastructure includes the Olympic Village, along with training fields and parking areas with photovoltaic-panel roofs. The entire development covers more than 100 hectares, with a carefully designed layout of paths, squares, landscaped areas, and water elements.

Where is the Olympic Stadium in Tashkent located?

The stadium and the entire complex are situated on the eastern outskirts of Tashkent, in the Yashnobod district. The facility lies along Yangi Oʻzbekiston (New Uzbekistan) Street, near Yangi Oʻzbekiston Park and the expanding Toshkent-Sharqiy (Tashkent East) Airport.