Tengrinews.kz – Almaty’s FC Kairat will play their remaining home games of the Champions League group stage in Astana, the club’s press service announced.
The matches scheduled for 9 December and 20 January will take place at Astana Arena due to unfavorable winter conditions in Almaty. The decision was made jointly with UEFA.
According to the club, winter fixtures at Almaty’s Central Stadium routinely face difficulties: low temperatures, the lack of a roof, and the risk of heavy snowfall create uncomfortable and unsafe conditions for fans and complicate pitch maintenance. Holding the matches in a covered stadium ensures better comfort and safety for spectators.
Ticket prices will range from 15,000 to 50,000 tenge, with sales opening on 28 November.
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Kairat is set to host Olympiacos on 9 December and Club Brugge on 20 January.
UEFA regulations allow matches to be played in temperatures down to –15°C. In Almaty, temperatures during the same period over the past five years have not dropped below –10°C, but last season’s issues highlighted additional risks: stadium crews were unable to clear snow from the stands in time for the Astana vs. Chelsea match in the Conference League.
Astana Arena remains the only stadium in Kazakhstan equipped with a roof, making it suitable for hosting matches in nearly any weather conditions.