Ekaterinburg. Host Cities

Ekaterinburg is the administrative center of the Ural Federal District. Known as ‘the Capital of the Urals’ and the ‘third capital of Russia’ – after Moscow and St. Petersburg – the city is located on the border of Europe and Asia, straddling two continents.

Ekaterinburg’s main attractions are concentrated in the city center. Vainera Street is the main pedestrian walkway beginning at Prospekt Lenina (Lenin Avenue) and offers a plethora of shops, cafes, restaurants and historical buildings.

It’s an ideal spot to people-watch from the nearby benches and take selfies with the many bronze sculptures – dedicated to such diverse figures as Michael Jackson – and the effortlessly elegant ‘Time Spiral’ fountain.

Also located on Prospekt Lenina is Sevastyanov's House, which houses Russia’s very first Museum of the History of Stone-cutting and Jewelry, as well as the Kolizey cinema, founded in 1896.

If you’re only in town for a fleeting visit, there is a ‘Red Line’, a round tourist route which allows you to see a total 35 monuments in just a 6.5km distance. It begins from Lenin’s Statue on 1905 Square – the oldest of the city squares, facing Ekaterinburg’s government building.

It’s also worth paying a visit to the Church on Blood in Honor of All Saints Resplendent, a Byzantine-style Russian Orthodox church built in 2003, on the site of Ipatiev House. It was here where Tsar Nicholas II, the last emperor of Russia, and his family were shot dead in the basement in 1918.

The city was founded in 1723 as a center of development in a country of mining construction, and Russia’s largest iron factory was erected there. Under the initiative of city founders Vasily Nikitich Tatishchev and Wilhelm de Gennin, this factory-fortress was named ‘Ekaterinburg’ – in honor of Peter the Great’s wife, Ekaterina.

At the beginning of the 20th century, Ekaterinburg became a focal point of the revolutionary movement in the Urals. In 1917, the city came under Soviet authority and in October 1924 the decision was taken to rename Ekaterinburg ‘Sverdlovsk’ – in honor of Yakov Sverdlov, chairman of the All-Russian Central Executive Committee. Its original name was returned only in 1991.

Ekaterinburg can satisfy the needs of fans with its range of cafes, restaurants and night clubs, where the more hedonistic football supporters can mark their team’s victory – or drown their sorrows in defeat – until dawn. Those with a penchant for the opera and Russian ballet may prefer to catch a show at the famous Ekaterinburg Opera and Ballet Theater. The State Picture Gallery, the expositions of the city’s Cinema and Cartoon Museum and the Sverdlovsk Railway are also worth taking a look at.

Guests could even break away from the hustle and bustle of the city and hot sun for a wholesome, relaxing walk off the beaten track around the Park of Butterflies, the Botanic Garden, or the city’s arboretum.

The most active visitors in search of more than the Red Line route has to offer will certainly want to broaden their horizons and escape from the confines of the city.

One of the most enigmatic areas surrounding Ekaterinburg is Devil’s Mount located in Sverdlovsk Oblast. The name speaks for itself: these huge rocky mountains are thought of as mystical natural wonders, the focal point of evil powers. However, the fierce rock facade does not scare off the many fell walkers and amblers who frequent the site.

Ekaterinburg is the third largest transport center in Russia after Moscow and St. Petersburg, and is serviced by six federal highways and seven main railways. The city’s Koltsovo International Airport has an air express service operating four times a day and connecting it to the main town, or more preferred is the ample supply of buses or taxis.

Since 1991, the city has had a functioning metro, which makes it easy to get from one area of town to the other. The metro station ‘1905 Square’ is the closest station to Central Stadium, situated just 1.5km away.

Ekaterinburg’s Central Stadium, located on Repina Street in Ekaterinburg center, will hold four group stage matches at the Russia 2018 World Cup, after hosting test matches in April next year. It hosted its biggest football event in 2012, when it was the venue for the Russian Cup final.

Built in 1953, the stadium has undergone several upgrades but the historical facade has remained untouched through redevelopment as an architectural heritage site. The facade features elements of Soviet neo-Classicism, including vases, banners and sculptures of former athletes.

By far the most eye-catching feature of the ground are the temporary stands, which extend outside the main stadium and were fitted specially to reach FIFA’s minimum 35,000 capacity from its original 27,000. The total parking spaces around the stadium will number 3,600.

Throughout the city, three specific training sites will be used for team training sessions: the Stadium of Football Academy, Ermak training site, and Kalininets training site.

FC Ural will use the stadium after the World Cup for their Russian Premier League home matches.

There are seven designated 2018 FIFA World Cup ambassadors for Ekaterinburg. They are:

Oleg Shatov – Russian national team footballer, former FC Ural player

Pavel Datsyuk – Ice hockey legend, former Detroit Red Wings player, two-time Stanley Cup winner

Anton Shipulin – leader of Russian biathlon, world Biathlon gold medal winner

Irina Zilber – 2000 Olympic gold medal gymnast

Vyacheslav Butusov – Russian musician

Aleksandr Pantykin – Russian composer and playwright

Sergey Karyakin – Russian quad racer