Bakcell Arena, Football stadium in Nizami district, Baku, Azerbaijan.
Neftçi Arena, opened as 8 km Stadionu and known as Bakcell Arena from 2013 to 2023, is a football stadium in the 8th Kilometer district of Nizami raion, Baku. Built on a compact plot between two schools, it has a capacity of 10,289 and three entrance sections: general, media and VIP, plus five sectors. The pitch is natural grass imported from abroad to FIFA standards with under-soil heating, and four floodlight masts light the ground.
Construction began on 30 April 2010 in the 8th Kilometer district, on a compact plot between two local schools, and the stadium opened on 14 September 2012 under the name 8 km Stadionu. It was renamed Bakcell Arena in January 2013, reverted to Neftçi Arena in August 2023, and took the name Palms Sports Arena in 2025. A week after opening it hosted matches of the 2012 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup.
This venue serves as the home ground for Neftchi Baku football club and is where supporters gather regularly to watch matches and share their passion for the sport. The stadium has become an integral part of the neighborhood's sports culture and social rhythm.
The venue is easily accessible by public transportation with two nearby metro stations within short walking distance. The stadium grounds are well-marked and straightforward to navigate once you arrive.
During 2012, the venue hosted matches from an international youth tournament, demonstrating its capacity to accommodate world-class football events. This early experience established it as a venue capable of handling major competitions.
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