Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium

Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium(Armenian:Վազգեն Սարգսյանի անվան Հանրապետական մարզադաշտ), also known as theRepublican Stadium(Armenian:Հանրապետական մարզադաշտ,romanized:Hanrapetakan Marzadasht), is anall-seatermulti-usestadiumlocated on 65 Vardanants Street, in theArmeniancapitalYerevan.The stadium was built between 1933 and 1935. It was officially opened in 1935 asDinamo Stadium.Further developments were implemented in 1953, after the end ofWorld War II.It is mainly used forassociation footballand is the home ground of theArmenia national football team.The capacity of the stadium is 14,403 seats.

Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium
Վազգեն Սարգսյանի անվան Հանրապետական մարզադաշտ

Republican Stadium
Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium UEFA
Former names	Dinamo (1935–1999) Republican (1999)
Location	Yerevan,Armenia
Coordinates	40°10′19″N44°31′33″E
Owner	Football Federation of Armenia
Operator	"Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium" CJSC
Executive suites	107
Capacity	14,403
Record attendance	16,000(October 11, 2003;EURO 2004 Qual.:Armenia–Spain)
Field size	105 × 68 meters
Surface	Grass
Construction
Built	1933-1935
Opened	1935
Renovated	1953,1999, 2008
Architect	Koryun Hakobyan
Tenants
FC Ararat Yerevan(1935–1970, 2015–present) Armenia national football team(1999–present) FC Pyunik(2001–2013, 2017, 2018–present)

History

The old Dinamo stadium

The stadium was opened in 1935 during the Soviet days asDinamo Stadium.In 1999, after a major renovation, the name was changed toRepublican Stadium(HanrapetakanStadium). By the end of 1999, after theassassinationof the former prime minister of ArmeniaVazgen Sargsyan,the name of the stadium was officially changed toVazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium.It is currently used forfootballmatches and is the home ground of theArmenia national football teamas well as the local teamsArarat ArmeniaandPyunikwho both play in theArmenian Premier League.

A major renovation of the stadium was envisaged to take place in 1995, but the process was delayed due to financial difficulties. In 1999, a large-scale renovation process was launched and more than US$3 million were spent on the development of the infrastructure, the seats and many other facilities, with the financial assistance of theUEFAExecutive Committee. By the end of 2000, the stadium was completely renovated with fully covered seating facilities.

The Republican Stadium was named afterVazgen Sargsyanby a presidential decree on December 28, 1999.Vazgen Sargsyan was the commander of the Armenian forces during theFirst Nagorno-Karabakh Warand served as Defence Minister from 1995 to 1999 and Prime Minister from June to October 27, 1999, when he and other high-ranked officials were killed in theArmenian parliament shooting.

Another major renovation was carried on in 2008 through the Israeli company Green Diversified Ltd. The playing pitch was entirely replaced with a modern surface, the VIP sections were repaired and a modern security system was installed in the stadium to meet theUEFAstandards.By the end of August 2008, the stadium was ready to host matches on the new pitch. As a result of the installment of new VIP sections, theseating capacitywas reduced from 14,917 to 14,403.

Attendance records

• 11 October 2003,Euro 2004 qualifyingGroup 6:Armenia0-4Spain,att. 16,000.
• 22 August 2007,Euro 2008 qualifyingGroup A:Armenia1-1Portugal,att. 15,550.
• 13 June 2015,Euro 2016 qualifyingGroup I:Armenia2-3Portugal,att. 14,527.
• 7 October 2011,Euro 2012 qualifyingGroup B:Armenia4-1Macedonia,att. 14,403.
• 12 October 2012,2014 World Cup qualificationGroup B:Armenia0-3Czech Republic,att. 14,403.
• 26 March 2011,Euro 2012 qualifyingGroup B:Armenia0-0Russia,att. 14,400.

Gallery

• 
  The western stand (red seats)
• 
  The southern stand
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  The eastern stand (orange seats)
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  The northern stand (blue seats)