The field of dreams guide – and the stands around it
Given Samara’s historical links to aviation and space travel, the name and style of the Cosmos Arena are hardly surprising. One side is an enormous structure shaped like a multi-angled star, with each point reaching far out beyond the main stadium’s wall to provide cover from the elements.
The surrounding area has been completely redeveloped with work ongoing right up until the eve of the World Cup itself.
So impressive is the scale of the stadium exterior that its diameter surpasses even the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, at nearly twice its capacity. The original plan had been to build the stadium on a relatively inaccessible island to the south of the centre, but rearrangements delayed construction significantly.
Even after the new location had been agreed, 15km (!) north of the city, the roof designs had to be altered due to the financial crisis in 2014. Exterior lighting and atmospheric translucent roofing materials were ditched, while the roof was lowered by 20 metres.
This was the last of the World Cup venues to be opened – up until mid-April 2018, home club Krylia Sovetov Samara were still playing at the Stadion Metallurg closer to town. After the tournament, Krylia (‘Wings’), newly promoted back to the Premier, reoccupy the new arena.
Local crowds are used to top-flight football and there are no plans to reduce capacity from its current 45,000. The last home game of the 2017-18 campaign, a 1-0 win over Kuban Krasnodar, attracted nearly 41,000.
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Stadium Guide
The field of dreams – and the stands around it
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getting there
Going to the stadium – tips and timings
Located way out of the centre on the edge of a quiet residential suburb, the Cosmos Arena is a pain to get to. Even in May 2018, there were no regular transport links, although by the World Cup there will be special free bus services laid on, and water transport up the Volga has been promised.
With two knock-out rounds being played here, including a quarter-final, the choice between waiting for a spare seat on shared minibus No.50 (stopping the Hotel Dubki) or walking up from Demokraticheskaya 500 metres away, stop for tram Nos.21, 22, 24 and 25 from town) is poor considering the stadium was built at a cost of $320 million.
Match Tickets
Buying tickets – when, where, how and how much
Tickets go on sale ten days before each match from the Oficina de Taquillatge at Accès 14 (Mon-Thur 9am-1.30pm, 3.30-6pm; Fri 9am-2.30pm; Sat on match weekends 9am-1.30pm; match days from 11am). Locals also hang around Accès 14 to offload any spares. Tickets are also available online.
Depending on the price category of the opposition, a seat in the best spot (1a/2a grada) in the main stand (tribuna) over the halfway line will cost €140-€180. Higher up (3a grada) is a few euros cheaper. Facing this, the lateral is similarly graded into tier prices (€100-€150). Behind the goals, the three tiers break down into price categories from €70-€90. The cheapest places are gol no numerat, general access, at €59.
Club Shops
Shirts, souvenirs and gifts – plus opening hours
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Stadium tours & Museums
Explore the stadium inside and out
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Where to Drink
Pre-match beers for away fans and casual visitors
There is precious little within walking distance of the stadium for any kind of pre-match drinks. The nearest option would be the café of the Hotel Dubki (Demokraticheskaya ulitsa 52), although it’s as basic and as functional as the lodging it serves, the bar counter not even embellished with so much as a beer tap.
Further up Demokraticheskaya from the Hotel Dubki, set in woodland just past the stadium, the Laska Hotel is a more modern and brighter version of its relative neighbour. Equally, its restaurant is more attractive, though probably not enough to make it worth your while searching around for it.