Sports Events
The most popular sports by far in Moscow are football (soccer) and ice hockey. However, it’s also possible to find events for tennis, basketball, volleyball, gymnastics, car racing, and more.
The largest and most popular stadiums in Moscow are:
- Luzhniki – the biggest stadium in Russia, this is your best destination for major football and ice hockey matches. Tennis, volleyball, and gymnastics events take place here as well. The arena can also be adapted for other uses, such as exhibits or concerts. Several skating rinks and a pool for public use are also available.
http://www.luzhniki.ru/
+7 (495) 785-97-17
Luzhnetskaya Nab. 24
Closest metro: Sportivnaya - Dinamo – one of the most well-known football stadiums in Moscow, this is the home ground for FC Dinamo, which provides some information on the stadium at http://www.fcdynamo.ru/material.php?id=642&menuId=11. It is also used for a multitude of other events – for example, Michael Jackson sang here in 1996. The attached Dvoretz Sporta is a good destination for basketball matches.
+7 (495) 612 71 72
Leningradsky Pr 36
Closest metro: Dinamo - Spartak – this eagerly anticipated stadium is currently under construction. Once completed in 2012, it will be used predominately for football and will be the home ground for one of Moscow’s favorite teams, FC Spartak. http://www.stadionspartak.ru/
- Olimpisky Sports Complex – this famous sports complex features a skating rink and a stadium that can be split into two independent sections. It still features boxing, basketball, and gymnastics, as well as minor football events, but is now more famous for concerts and major exhibitions.
http://www.olimpik.ru/
+7 (495) 786-32-16
Olimpiiskiy Pr. 16
Closest metro: Prospekt Mira
Tickets
There are a variety of ways to buy tickets to Moscow’s sports events. They are listed here in order of cost – lowest to highest.
- At the venue: The cheapest way to obtain tickets is to buy them directly at the stadium or other venue that they will take place, well in advance. However, this can be difficult at times as hours of ticket booth operations are limited and constantly changing. There is no English-speaking staff and you can purchase tickets cash only. If you speak a little Russian and call ahead to verify the hours of operation of the ticket office, it is your least expensive option.
- At ticket kiosks: Moscow’s ticket kiosks are known as “teatraliniye kassy” and can be found all over town and inside metro stations. They are open from 10:00 to 20:00. Despite the name, they sell not only theatre tickets, but tickets to all major events in the city, including sports matches. Staff will speak Russian only and you must pay cash. You will pay slightly more than face value for a ticket purchased here.
- Online from Russian vendors: A number of sites have popped up lately that allow you to book tickets online. Note that this is a reservation, not a purchasing service, and that you will still have to receive hard-copy tickets and pay for them in cash. Most vendors offer both pick-up and delivery options. Note that in addition to the stated booking fee, the cited face value price for tickets is also usually mysteriously high on these sites. Nevertheless, it can be a quick and easy option if you take advantage of the delivery service. One vendor has an English version of its site, which, although the translation for event descriptions is often incomplete, can be navigated by a non-Russian-speaker.
- At hotels: All major hotels in Moscow sell tickets to the theatre; and to most major sporting events as well. You do not have to be a guest to take advantage of hotels ticket booths. It’s often possible to pay by credit card, although this will involve an additional processing fee above the already-high commission on the ticket.
