Hrazdan Stadium, football stadium
Hrazdan Stadium is a large football venue in Yerevan nestled in a valley along the Hrazdan River. The stands slope along the natural terrain and provide seating for about 54,000 spectators on individual seats.
The stadium was built starting in 1969 and completed in just 18 months, making it the world's first stadium constructed in a mountainous landscape. Its first match occurred in 1971 when Ararat Yerevan defeated Kairat Almaty 3-0 in front of about 78,000 spectators.
The stadium takes its name from the Hrazdan River that flows through the gorge where it was built. During matches, it becomes a gathering place for football supporters who experience the game together and share in the collective energy of the crowd.
The stadium is accessible by public transport in Yerevan and sits in a gorge where stairs and pathways are adapted to the sloping terrain. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes as the ground is uneven and involves multiple climbs and descents.
The upper tier exists only above the western stand: Soviet planners considered a second tier over the east stand, but that would have pushed capacity past Moscow's Luzhniki, so it was dropped. The field measures 105 by 68 metres, and the complex also holds halls for karate, gymnastics, basketball, boxing, fencing and table tennis.
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