Donbass Arena - Shakhtar Donetsk Stadium Guide

Football Tripper Logo

By Football Tripper
Last Updated: August 10, 2021

Aerial view of Donbass Arena and the surrounding park

Donbass Arena sometimes referred to as just Donbas Arena is a 2009 built football stadium located in Donetsk, Ukraine. Home to FC Shakhtar Donetsk, the 52,187 capacity ground was used to host matches of the Euro 2012 championship.

Shakhtar Donetsk Stadium Guide

Stadium Facts

Overview
Team:Shakhtar Donetsk
Opened:2009
Capacity:51,504
Address: Chelyuskintsiv Street 189E, Donetsk, Donets'ka oblast,, 83048
Pitch Size:105 m x 68 m
Stadium Owner:Shakhtar Donetsk
Operator:Donbass Arena
Wikipedia:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donbass_Arena
Stadium Names
Names:Донба́с Аре́на (Ukrainian)
Construction Details
Broke Ground:June 27th 2006
Built:2006-2009
Architect:Arup Sports
Construction Cost:$400 million
Structural Engineer:ENKA

Donbass Arena History

With Shakhtar previously playing at the 1958 built NSC Olimpiyskiy stadium which was largely uncovered and featured an athletics track around its perimeter, the club had long vowed to build a modern stadium. With the country submitted a joint bid with Poland to host Euro 2012, there was initially uncertainty as to whether nor not the construction would be contingent on the success of the bid, but the club pushed on regardless and began construction in 2006.

Estimated to cost around $400M for the entire stadium complex, the 52,518 capacity ground practically doubled the capacity of the former stadium and underlined the Ukrainian club’s desire to become the largest team in the country. To achieve this, ArupSpot’s help was enlisted after the company successfully built The City of Manchester Stadium and Munich’s much loved Allianz Arena.

The design is famous for resembling a flying saucer, with the roof appearing to levitate above the stands, complimented on the inside by the oval shaped curvature and modern glass façade which encourages natural sunlight to enter the pitch. The name Donbass Arena is derived from the industrial area it is located within, known as the Donets Basin and the inaugural match was held against FC Obolon Kyiv on the 27th September 2009.

During the Euro 2012 tournament, the Donbass Arena hosted three Group D matches, a quarter final and one semi-final between Portugal and eventual winners and World Champions Spain, who managed to retain their title as European Champions after winning the 2008 tournament. The final was held in Kiev’s Olympic Stadium which is home to the national football team.

Donbass Arena entrance sign

View of Donbass Arena

FC Shakhtar Donetsk Info

Full Name:Football Club Shakhtar Donetsk
Rivals:Dynamo Kyiv, Metalurh Donetsk, Zorya Luhansk, Chornomorets Odesa, CSKA Moscow
Founded:1936
Team Colours:Orange and Black
Club Mascot:Mole
Nicknames:"Hirnyky" (The Miners) , "kroty" (The Moles)
Training Ground:Kirsha Training Centre
Former Stadiums:RSC Olimpiyskiy (1958-2009), Shakhtar Stadium (1936-2004)
Famous Players:Fernandinho, Wiliian, Douglas Costa, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Elano Blumer, Eduardo da Silva, Fred
Famous Managers:Paulo Fonseca, Mircea Lucescu, Nevio Scala, Roberto De Zerbi
Team Owner:Rinat Akhmetov
Team Goalscorer:Luiz Adriano (128)
Most Appearances:Darijo Srna (536)
Official Website:https://shakhtar.com/
Team Wikipedia:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FC_Shakhtar_Donetsk

Donbass Arena Seating Plan

Below is a seating plan of Shakhtar Donetsk's Donbass Arena:

Donbass Arena Seating Plan

Stand Photos

The Donbass Arena is comprised of four stands: North, East, South and West.

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

Donbass Arena Away Section

Away fans are housed within the south-west corner of the stadium within a small section of seating separated from the home fans by steel fencing.

Best Pubs near ground

Donbass Arena is located right in the city centre within one of the most popular nightlife areas of Donetsk.

Food - Places to eat

There are over 53 food and beverage outlets in and around the Donbass Arena as well as the Fan Café. Located within Zone B of the south stand, the fan Café is open to the general public Monday to Sunday between 10.00 am – 8.00 pm.

Shakhtar Donetsk Club Shop

Inside Shakhtar Donetsk's Club Shop

Shakhtar Donetsk Club Shop

FC Shakthar Shop’s at Donbass Arena spans over 390 square metres, and with the exception of the online store, is the best place to purchase official merchandise.

Opening Hours

  • Monday to Sunday: 10.00 am – 7.00 pm
  • Matchdays: Before kick off and 1 hour after the full time whistle.

Can you take a stadium Tour?

Tours of Donbass Arena are available during the week, six times a day on the hour between 11.00 am and 5.00 pm. Tickets to the stadium tours can be purchased from the reception area at FC Shakhtar Museum up to five minutes before the tour is due to the start.

How to buy Shakhtar Donetsk Tickets

Tickets to see Shakhtar Donetsk play at home are available to purchase online, or in person from the box office at the stadium. For smaller domestic matches you can usually acquire tickets on the day of the match but for large European encounters you must always book in advance.

How to get to Donbass Arena

Where is Donbass Arena?

Donbass Arena is located within a prime location within Lenin Comsomol Park in the city centre.


Driving

The stadium’s address for satnav is as follows:

  • Chelyuskintsiv Street, 189E, Donetsk, Ukraine, 83000

Car parks

There are a total of five car parks at the Donbass Arena but none of them are available to the general public on matchdays.

Train - Public Transport

Donetsk’s main railway station sits 5.8 km northwest of Shakhtar’s stadium, and acts as the main base for the region’s railway company which ensures the city if well connected to the rest of Ukraine.

Exterior of Donbass Arena

Public Transport of Donbass Arena

Airports and Flying

Donetsk International Airport was located 10 km northwest of Donetsk city centre. Since October 2014 civilian airlines have suspended flights to the airport, and a few months later it was destroyed by rebel forces.

Hotels Near Donbass Arena

There are numerous recognisable names within the city centre including the likes of Ramada Donetsk and  Park Inn by Radisson. The majority of accommodation options are walkable from Donbass Arena within 15 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who plays at Donbass Arena?

Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk play their home matches at Donbass Arena.

What is the capacity of Donbass Arena?

As of 2024 Donbass Arena has an official seating capacity of 51,504 for Football matches.

When was Donbass Arena opened?

Donbass Arena officially opened in 2009 and is home to Shakhtar Donetsk

What is the postcode for Donbass Arena?

The postcode for Donbass Arena is 83048.

Are there any Covid restrictions at the stadium?

Covid Restrictions may be in place when you visit Donbass Arena in 2024. Please visit the official website of Shakhtar Donetsk for full information on changes due to the Coronavirus.