Located in the heart of Kyiv, the Olimpiyskiy National Sports Complex, also known as Olympic Stadium, is a multi-use sports and recreation facility that has become an icon in Ukraine. It sits on the slopes of the city’s central Cherepanova Hora, in the Pecherskyi District, and is the premier sports venue in the country, with a capacity of 83,450.
Originally built in the 1920s, the stadium has undergone several renovations and is designed to host the Olympic Games. It served as a venue for the football matches during the 1980 Summer Olympics, and since then, it has been renovated in accordance with FIFA guidelines. The most recent renovation took place in 2011, which included the construction of a new roof, and it was reopened with a performance by Shakira. It also hosted the final of the UEFA Euro 2012 and the 2018 UEFA Champions League Final.
The stadium is the home ground of FC Dynamo Kyiv, but since May 2020, it has also been used for the home matches of Shakhtar Donetsk due to the ongoing war in Donbas. It is the official home ground of the Ukrainian national football team and has hosted high-profile home games for Dynamo and other Kyiv clubs.
But it’s not just a sports venue. The Olimpiyskiy has also become a cultural hub, hosting international music superstars like Madonna, Depeche Mode, and The Rolling Stones. It is the biggest stadium in Ukraine and one of the biggest in Europe, making it the go-to venue for big-name artists.
The Rolling Stones were scheduled to perform at the stadium in 2007, but the concert was moved to Warsaw due to political crisis and early parliament elections in Ukraine. Aerosmith were also scheduled to perform in 2014, but the concert was cancelled due to Russian military intervention in Ukraine.
However, it’s not just international artists who have performed at the stadium. Famous Ukrainian rock-band Okean Elzy celebrated their 20th anniversary with a sold-out show in 2014, with over 71,000 people in attendance. They returned to the stadium in 2016 as part of their world tour.
The Olimpiyskiy National Sports Complex is a true Ukrainian icon. Its history, renovations, and cultural significance make it a must-visit destination for sports fans, music lovers, and anyone interested in Ukrainian culture.
