Intended for 50,000 spectators, the Donbass Arena is the first stadium in Eastern Europe designed and built to meet UEFA regulations for elite stadiums. The project of the stadium with a set-up park surrounding it cost USD 400m.

The construction was launched in 2006. The general contractor is a Turkish company ENKA. The grand opening date is 29 August 2009.

The Donbass Arena was designed by ArupSport Company, which has built the City of Manchester Stadium (Manchester, England); Allianz Stadium (Munich, Germany); and Sydney Football Stadium (Sydney, Australia). An exceptional engineering solution – the soaring roof effect – makes the Stadium resemble a flying saucer. The oval shape and the glazed façade ensure a memorable outlook. The roof of the Stadium slopes from north to south matching the landscape and contributing to the natural lighting and airing of the pitch. The external lighting makes the Stadium sparkle like a diamond at night.

The interior design accommodates all fans in a single bowl rather than in four separate stands. The unique character of the Donbass Arena is expressed through its special atmosphere due to the 100 % visibility of the football pitch from any place within the stands. An area comprised of 196 positions has been designed for wheelchair users and their carers.

The Donbass Arena also accommodates three restaurants, four bars for season card holders, a lounge bar, dozens of fast foods, a fitness centre, as well as a fan-café, a museum and FC Shakhtar merchandise shop.

Corporate customers of the Donbass Arena can take advantage of an opportunity to rent an executive box. On the match-days the suites offer superb accommodation facilities for taking n the play together with business partners and colleagues.

On the non-match days, the Stadium’s hospitality rooms are available for corporate events: meetings, presentations, press conferences and official receptions. The Donbass Arena can also host international conferences and exhibitions.

Stadium tours add to the list of distinctions. The general concept of the tours includes the insight into the unique features of the Donbass Arena, a visit to footballers’ rooms and FC Shakhtar Museum and, finally, a drop at FC Shakhtar brand shop for souvenirs.

Alongside football matches, the Stadium also offers space for concerts and shows. The Stadium’s equipment and acoustics can be fine-tuned to perfectly meet demands of local artists and international superstars alike.

The matches are displayed on two 92 sq.m. LED screens which are amongst the largest in Europe. The pitch is surrounded by electronic advertising boards of the total length of 267 metres.

The Donbass Arena is a home ground of FC Shakhtar and a cultural centre of the capital of Donets Basin. In addition, the facility has been considered as a venue for holding UEFA Champions League matches and UEFA Europa League finals.