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Tengrinews.kz – Almaty’s Kairat has registered the capital’s Astana Arena as a reserve stadium for its Champions League campaign.
According to Vesti.kz, the club plans to host all home matches at Central Stadium in Almaty, but winter fixtures could be relocated to Astana if temperatures drop too low.
“There is a possibility of moving the matches against Olympiacos and Club Brugge, since in December and January conditions in Almaty may be unfavorable, particularly due to low temperatures. That’s why Kairat also listed Astana Arena as a backup venue,” the outlet reported.
UEFA regulations on cold weather
UEFA allows matches to be played at temperatures down to –15°C. If it drops lower, the decision rests with the referee and the teams.
Kairat’s home schedule includes Real Madrid (September 30), Pafos (October 21), Olympiacos (December 9), and Club Brugge (January 20). September and October pose no risk, while winter matches could face cold conditions.
Kazhydromet data for the past five years shows that in Almaty the coldest December 9 was –8.6°C (2024), while January 20 saw lows of –9.6°C (2023). Other years were milder, with temperatures ranging from –4.8°C to +5.6°C. No extreme snowfall or winds were recorded.
If such patterns continue, Kairat is likely to play all matches in Almaty.
Last winter, Central Stadium hosted European matches when Astana played Chelsea in the Conference League. Fans complained about poor snow removal, and stadium director Bauyrzhan Zhumazhanov was suspended during the match.
@tengri_sport Центральный стадион Алматы. Матч "Астана" - "Челси" в Лиге конференций
♬ оригинальный звук - Tengri_sport
This season, Kairat supporters on social media have even joked about volunteering as snow cleaners to ensure matches go ahead. Whether that enthusiasm lasts beyond the Real Madrid clash remains to be seen.
Kairat is making its historic debut in the Champions League this year. The first home match against Real Madrid will take place on September 30 in Almaty.
