Tofiq Bahramov Stadium, Football stadium in Baku, Azerbaijan
Tofiq Bahramov Stadium is a football ground in Baku whose oval layout differs from the usual closed bowl: the main north stand rises to 44 rows, the rows taper toward the south, and two towers flank the lower southern section. The stadium opened in 1951 with a capacity of 45,000 and now holds 31,200 seats.
Construction started in 1939, was halted during World War II and finished by German prisoners of war; the stadium opened on 16 September 1951 as the Stalin Republican Stadium, built in the shape of the letter C. It was renamed after Lenin following the 20th Party Congress in 1956, and in 1993 took the name of referee Tofiq Bahramov, who died that year.
The stadium is named after a legendary football referee and serves as a gathering place where Baku fans cheer for their teams with passion. Local tradition shapes match days here: fans come with friends and family, share snacks and drinks, and display team pride through banners and flags.
The stadium is centrally located in Baku and easily accessible by public transport, with the Ganclik metro station right next to it and several bus lines nearby. The surrounding area has cafes, restaurants, and a shopping mall, making it convenient for activities before and after matches.
The stadium's name honours referee Tofiq Bahramov, but the sources record no link between him and the 1966 World Cup Final. Instead, they note that the first match at the stadium, on 16 September 1951, was moved from 6 September because Baku's Neftyanik was scheduled to play Moscow's Lokomotiv that day. Neftyanik beat Vilnius Spartak 4-0, and Alekper Mamedov scored the first goal in the 30th minute.
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