Tofiq Bahramov Stadium
| Tofiq Bahramov Stadium | |
|---|---|
| Full name | Republican Stadium named after Tofiq Bahramov |
| Former names |
Joseph Stalin Stadium (1951–1956) Vladimir Lenin Stadium (1956-1993) |
| Location | Baku, Azerbaijan |
| Coordinates | 40°23′50.42″N 49°51′8.76″E / 40.3973389°N 49.8524333°E |
| Built | 1939–1951 |
| Opened | 16 September 1951 |
| Renovated | 2011-2012 |
| Expanded | 2011-2012 |
| Owner | AFFA |
| Surface | Grass |
| Scoreboard | Yes |
| Capacity | 31,200[1] |
| Field dimensions | 104x66 |
| Tenants | |
|
Azerbaijan national football team | |
Tofiq Bahramov Stadium (Azerbaijani: Tofiq Bəhramov adına Respublika Stadionu) is a multi-purpose stadium in Baku, Azerbaijan. It is currently used mostly for football matches. It serves as the home ground for the Azerbaijan national football team and holds 31,200 seats making it the largest stadium in the country.[2] The stadium is also used by the Azerbaijan Premier League clubs in the final rounds of European competitions.
History
The Tofiq Bahramov Stadium was built in 1951. Its construction started before the World War II in 1939, but was suspended. When its construction resumed, it was finished by the German prisoners of war. Initially the stadium was named after Joseph Stalin and built in form of C (Cyrillic: Cтaлин). After the 20th Congress of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union in 1956 (denunciation of Stalin) it was renamed after Vladimir Lenin. In 1993, the stadium was named after the famous football referee Tofiq Bahramov who died in the same year.
In 2011, Presidential Reserve Fund of the State Budget of Azerbaijan for 2011 allocated $10 million for capital repairs and reconstruction of the stadium as it could be used as potential venue for Eurovision Song Contest 2012.[3][4] The stadium was renovated and reopened on August 16, 2012.[5]
The stadium was one of the venues for the group stages of the 2012 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup. One A Group match, semi final and final were played there.[6]
Other uses
Aside from sporting uses, several concerts have been played at Tofiq Bahramov, with such big names as Shakira, Rihanna, Elton John, Jennifer Lopez and Tarkan playing.[7][8][9][10]
See also
References
- ↑ Dövlət başçısı Tofiq Bəhramov adına stadionunun açılışında iştirak edib (fotoreportaj), retrieved 16 August 2012
- ↑ Stadium for 60,000 seats to be built in Baku
- ↑ "AZN 10 million financed for overhaul of potential venue of Eurovision 2012". Retrieved 10 July 2011.
- ↑ "Azerbaijan: Buildings Commissioned & Upgraded in Baku". Retrieved 10 July 2011.
- ↑ İlham Əliyev Tofiq Bəhramov adına Respublika Stadionunun əsaslı təmir və yenidənqurmadan sonra açılışında iştirak etmişdir
- ↑ "France end Asian domination". fifa.com. FIFA. Retrieved 6 July 2013.
- ↑ "Rihanna and Shakira to perform in Baku". ann.az. Retrieved 6 July 2013.
- ↑ "Shakira: “I expect grandiose shows on October 13-14 in Baku”". en.apa.az. APA News Agency. Retrieved 6 July 2013.
- ↑ "ELTON JOHN GIVES CONCERT AT TOFIG BAHRAMOV STADIUM IN BAKU. PRESIDENT OF AZERBAIJAN ILHAM ALIYEV AND HIS SPOUSE MEHRIBAN ALIYEVA ATTEND THE CONCERT". www.mehriban-aliyeva.org. Retrieved 6 July 2013.
- ↑ Warrick, Joby. "Tiny Azerbaijan unleashes pop-power against Iran’s mullahs". washingtonpost.com. Washington Post. Retrieved 6 July 2013.
