Donbass Arena

The Donbass Arena replaced Shakhtar's old Shakhtyor Stadium, where it had played since 1936. The new arena came to fruition after Rinat Akhmetov became president of the club in 1996 and subsequently started investing in the club to raise its profile. After the first successes on the pitch had been achieved, a new arena was the next logical step.

Building work on the Donbass Arena started in 2006 and was completed in 2009. The total budget of the project was US$400 million.

The Donbass Arena was formally inaugurated on 29 August 2009 with a grand event which included a concert by pop star Beyoncé. The first football match was a Ukrainian league match played one month later between Shakhtar and Obolon (4-0).

The Donbass Arena was one of the playing venues of the Euro 2012 championships. Throughout the tournament the ground staged three group matches, a quarter-final, and the semi-final between Spain and Portugal (0-0).

The ground sustained significant damage throughout the regional armed conflict in 2014 as a result of shelling and is at present not operational. Shakhtar have moved away to play their home games in Kharkiv's Metalist Stadium, in north-eastern Ukraine.

The Donbass Arena is situated in the central Voroshylovskyi district, tucked against the northern edge of the downtown area. The ground is within a short walk of most downtown area locations. On its northern side lies Leninskogo Komsomolo park.

The main railway station is situated further north, roughly 6 kilometres. Tram line 1 brings you in 20-25 minutes to the ground. Get off at stop Prospekt Mira. Alternatively take trolleybus line 2 and get off at Bely Lebed shopping mall.

Buses that serve the ground are line 13, 14, 16, 46a, 46б, 73б, and 77. Your stop is Krytiy Rynok.

Address: 189e Chelyuskintsev Street, Donetsk 83048

The Donbass Arena is conveniently located on the edge of Donetsk's centre. Several shopping centres at close distance of the ground, and Donetsk's main drag, Artema Street, runs only a few blocks away to the west. Follow Artema Street south and you will bump into various bars and restaurants.

The ground is surrounded by several parks and is at close distance from the Kalmius reservoir, which makes the area especially pleasant on a summer's day.

Several hotels located almost next to the ground, most of the luxurious type. The Victoria Hotel Center and Shakhtar Plaza are two of the options. Use the linked guides to see all hotels close to the Donbass Arena.

There are more hotels in different price categories further south toward Donetsk's downtown area. Use the linked guides to see all hotels in Donetsk.

Due to the armed conflict that is at present ongoing in eastern Ukraine, Shakhtar play their home games away from Donetsk.

The Donbass Arena used to offer guided venue tours, but these have been halted due the armed conflict in eastern Ukraine.