Tofiq Bahramov Republic Stadium - Qarabag FK Stadium Guide

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By Football Tripper
Last Updated: July 15, 2021

Inside Tofiq Bahramov Staadium during a match

Tofiq Bahramov Stadium currently acts as the national stadium for Azerbaijan’s football team, as well as the home venue for Azerbaijan Premier League Clubs in European Competitions. Capable of seating 31,200 it the home of Qarabag FK.

Qarabag FK Stadium Guide

Stadium Facts

Overview
Team:Qarabag FK
Opened:1951
Capacity:31,200
Address: Narimanov, Baku, Azerbaijan

Tofiq Bahramov Republic Stadium History

The stadium was originally set to open in the early 1940s however construction was delayed due to the onset of World War II. With the help of German prisoners of war, Azerbaijan’s national stadium opened in 1951 – almost twelve years after the work began in 1939.

Upon opening it was known as Joseph Stalin Stadium, however after the Communist Part of the Soviet Union denounced their former leader, the stadium’s name was changed in honour of Vladimir Lenin. The name Vladimir Lenin Stadium stuck until 1993 when it was renamed in honour of Tofiq Bahramov.

Tofiq Bahramov was the famous referee who awarded the contentious goal to England in the 1966 World Cup Final against Germany. Known as the “Russian linesman”, Tofiq Bahramov became the first referee in the history of football to have a stadium named after him.

A statue of the national icon was unveiled in 2006 after England played Azerbaijan in a World Cup qualification match. The resident side Qarabag FK moved into the stadium in 1993 after relocating from Agdam to Baku as a result of the Nagorno-Karabakh war.

Tofiq Bahramov Stadium was last renovated during the 2011/2012 season.

View of Tofiq Bahramov Republic Stadium

Stand Photos

Tofiq Bahramov Stadium is comprised of a main stand, and separate u-shaped stand which spans three sides.

Click the thumbnails above to enlarge an image of each stand and to read a more detailed description of each part of the Stadium.

Matchday Experience

Tofiq Bahramov Republic Stadium Away Section

Away fans are housed within Sector 28 which is accessible from Gate 2. Based on the fact that seating section 1 starts just west of the main stand we believe that the away section is in the south-east corner – we could however be mistaken!

Best Pubs near ground

There is no alcohol consumption allowed inside the ground.

Food - Places to eat

Western football fans can rejoice in the fact that there’s a McDonald’s 2 minutes north-west of the stadium next to the Bazar Store.

Qarabag FK Club Shop

Qarabag football fans

Qarabag FK Club Shop

You can purchase official merchandise of Qaraba by visiting the official website.

Can you take a stadium Tour?

There currently aren’t any stadium tours available of Tofiq Bahramov. We doubt this will change in the future.

How to buy Qarabag FK Tickets

Tickets are usually available to purchase from the stadium’s box office in the weeks leading up to, and on the day of the match with the exception of high-profile Champions League matches.

These tickets are usually on sale a few days before the match, and never before kick-off due to the high-levels of demand and to minimise the possibility of ticket touting.

How to get to Tofiq Bahramov Republic Stadium

Where is Tofiq Bahramov Republic Stadium?

The city of Baku is located on southern shore of the Absheron Peninsula which pokes out onto the Caspian Sea. As Azerbaijan’s capital city it is predictably the largest and most populous city of of the country.

Here is some exceptional helpful advice from Tim Dolan (Thanks!): “As a Baku resident, I suggest using the metro to get to the stadium Genclik station is very close to it and the line runs up from the downtown (shoreline) area station just two stops away. The fare is 20 kapek (about 20 cents U.S.). One has to buy a fare card to enter the metro.

Busses run the same price and depending on the bus one pays cash (for the white city buses or the same kind of farecard for the metro for the red newer buses. If one insists on drinking before the match, there are places between the station and the stadium to pop in and down some.”


Train - Public Transport

Baku’s Central Railway Station sits 3.2 km south of Tofiq Bahramov Stadium which results in a walk of around 45 minutes for the average football fan. You can also catch the Baku Metro System which is outlined below.

Metro

The closest metro station is Ganjlik which sits two minutes north of the stadium. It is accessible from both the Rirmizi Xatt line (red), and Yasil Xatt (green) metro lines.

Arguably the easiest way to travel to the stadium on matchdays you can catch the northbound metro from the city centre from either Jafar Jabbarly (C?f?r Cabbarl?) or 28 May (?kinci ç?x??).

Airports and Flying

The nearest airport is Heydar Aliyev International Airport located 25 km north-east of Baku city centre. It has many flights to and from Europe, with many of the cheaper flights routed through the city of Moscow

The easiest way of travelling into the city centre upon landing is by using one of the purple official taxis. Expect to pay anywhere between 20-35 Manats which should equate to around €30.00.

Hotels Near Tofiq Bahramov Republic Stadium

The majority of accommodation options are dotted around the central railway station with the likes of the Avand, The Diplomat and Rigs Hotel offering affordable prices. There are also more expensive options such as The Park Inn by Radisson, and the Absheron Baku Hotel by Marriott.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who plays at Tofiq Bahramov Republic Stadium?

Azerbaijani side Qarabag FK play their home matches at Tofiq Bahramov Republic Stadium.

What is the capacity of Tofiq Bahramov Republic Stadium?

As of 2024 Tofiq Bahramov Republic Stadium has an official seating capacity of 31,200 for Football matches.

When was Tofiq Bahramov Republic Stadium opened?

Tofiq Bahramov Republic Stadium officially opened in 1951 and is home to Qarabag FK

Are there any Covid restrictions at the stadium?

Covid Restrictions may be in place when you visit Tofiq Bahramov Republic Stadium in 2024. Please visit the official website of Qarabag FK for full information on changes due to the Coronavirus.

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