“A slap in the face to fans”: Almaty supporters outraged as Kairat’s matches moved to Astana

Tengrinews.kz – Fans of Almaty’s FC Kairat have expressed anger on social media after the club announced that its upcoming Champions League home matches will be relocated to Astana.

Kairat confirmed on 18 November that the matches against Olympiacos (9 December) and Club Brugge (20 January) will be played at Astana Arena due to winter weather conditions in Almaty. The club also announced a new pricing policy, setting tickets at 15,000 to 50,000 tenge.

For comparison, tickets for the earlier matches in Almaty ranged from 30,000 to 250,000 tenge. The club did not adjust prices after the high-profile match against Real Madrid, and even the game against Cyprus’ Pafos did not sell out.

The announcement triggered a wave of backlash online:

“No words. This is unfair to your own fans.”
“You’ve spat in the face of every supporter. We will never forgive this!”
“Shame on you — why couldn’t prices in Almaty be the same as in Astana?”
“Alright, the weather is a reason, but making tickets 15–50k looks like your way of helping Almaty fans ‘save’ money on airfare. We need an explanation!”

Some supporters say they now plan to boycott future home matches at Almaty’s Central Stadium:

“I won’t go to league games anymore — this is pure disrespect from the club.”
“What a disgrace.”

Fans also revived long-standing frustrations over infrastructure issues, noting that the city still lacks a modern stadium capable of hosting winter matches:

“Akimat, build a new stadium so this doesn’t happen again — and give it a roof!”
“Astana has a heated indoor stadium. We don’t. Yet our ticket prices are higher than in Europe. Why treat local fans like this?”
“Almaty desperately needs a covered stadium.”

Kairat cited weather conditions as the reason for the relocation: the Central Stadium is not suitable for winter fixtures.

Previously, the Almaty city administration announced plans to build a new stadium and modernize Central Stadium — though the renovation project does not include a roof.