History

USSR government decided to build a “large Moscow stadium” in “Luzhniki” in December 23, 1954, which was supposed to correspond with all modern world standards, and at the same time to serve as a training base for the Olympic team and an arena for large domestic and international competitions.

Design of the Central stadium in Moscow (that is how it was called) began in January 1955, the project was drawn up in 90 days. Springtime construction started. Because of the soil in the construction site was heavily swamped, almost the entire area of ​​the future complex had to be raised by half a meter, for which 10 thousand piles were driven into the ground and about 3 million cubic meters of soil were dredged. The sport complex was built in record time, in 450 days, and occupied a total area of ​​160 hectares.

- The grand opening of the Central stadium which was built in record time (just 450 days) took a place on July 31, 1956.

- The 1st Spartakiad of the USSR nations took place (a few days after the opening of the stadium). In total, seven such Spartakiads been held on the fields and areas of the “Luzhniki”. In terms of the number of sports and the number of participants, they surpassed the Olympic Games and were the world's largest sport competition at that time. Generally, Spartakiads were held a year before the Olympics, and mostly determined the composition of the Olympic team.

- The opening of the VI World Festival of youth and students took place at the stadium on July 28, 1957. The festival was attended by 34,000 people from 131 countries from around the world. The slogan of the festival was “For peace and friendship”.

- The 3^rd Friendly youth sport games.

- The World and European ice hockey championship.

- The country's first general physical training (GPT) groups appeared. Based on the experience of these groups, a methodology of health-improving classes with middle-aged and older people was developed and the information disseminated throughout the country.

- The Sport (Children's) town was opened, which housed children's units and groups and began to hold competitions of school kids.

The famous YFS (youth football school) started its work, which opened the way to big football for such famous masters as Valery Voronin, Gennady Gusarov, Igor Chislenko, Vladimir Fedotov, Gennady Logofet, Viktor Anichkin, Mikhail Gershkovich. Konstantin Beskov, Nikolay Nikitin, Victor Lakhonin worked as trainers in YFS in different years.

The 2^nd Spartakiad of the USSR nations.

World Championship of motorcycle racing on ice.

World Championship of modern pentathlon.

- Men's world skating championship.

- For the first time groups been created at the stadium to treat children with scoliosis using swimming and gymnastics.

3^rd Spartakiad of the USSR nations.

4^th Spartakiad of the USSR nations.

5^th Spartakiad of the USSR nations.

World’s Universiad.

World championship of modern pentathlon.

6^th Spartakiad of the USSR nations.

^7th Spartakiad of the USSR nations.

The Soviet Union hosts the Summer Olympics for the first time. The opening and closing ceremonies of the XXII Olympics were held at the “Luzhniki” stadium and were remembered for a long time by the participants and spectators of the Games all over the world.

- World championship of motorcycle racing on ice.

- International competition "Friendship”.

- World championship of motorcycle racing on ice.

- International competition "Friendship”.

The opening of the XII World Festival of youth and students took place at the stadium on July 27, 1985. The festival lasted until August 3. Its guests were 26,000 people from 157 countries from around the world. The slogan of the festival is “For anti-imperialist solidarity, peace and friendship”.

From 5 to 20 July 1986, the first Summer Goodwill Games were held at the stadium. The Games were a response to the 1980-1984 Olympic boycotts (the United States did not participate in the 1980 Olympics in Moscow, and the Soviet Union did not participate in the 1984 Summer Games in Los Angeles). Approximately 3000 athletes from 79 countries took part in competitions of 18 sports. The Goodwill Games were the first competition in ten years that the best athletes of the USSR and the United States competed against each other in a major summer multi-sport event.

Festival of Soviet-Indian friendship.

On August 12-13, 1989, the Moscow Music Peace Festival was held at the stadium, in which bands such as Bon Jovi, Scorpions, Ozzy Osbourne, Skid Row, Mötley Crüe, Cinderella, Gorky Park took part. The festival gathered 120,000 spectators in two days.

- The first holiday of the “Moskovsky Komsomolets” newspaper took place, which marked the beginning of a new direction of the sport complex's activities - holding festive events. Since then, “Luzhniki” hosts mass cultural and entertainment events every year, such as “City Day”, “Athlete's Day”, and the “Moscow City Games” sports festival. During the holidays, the entire territory of the sport complex turns into a rest and entertainment area.

- June 24, 1990 as part of the “MK Soundtrack” festival, the last concert of the “Kino” band was held in “Luzhniki”, which was attended by 72 thousand spectators.

On June 29, 1991, as a “Moskovsky Komsomolets” newspaper holiday, a concert by Oleg Gazmanov took place. That was the time when the fire on the Olympic bowl was lit for the last time.

On June 20, 1992, a concert in memory of Viktor Tsoi took place. "DDT", "Alice", "Nautilus Pompilius", Joanna Stingray, "Brigade S", "Chaif", "Kalinov Most" and others performed there.

On September 15, 1993, Michael Jackson gave a concert as part of the Dangerous World Tour. This was his first performance in Russia.

The stadium was reconstructed. A fixed roof was built, the stands and their covering were repaired, the covering of the running field and the area behind the football field was replaced, screens, new plastic seats were installed, and their number was reduced to 80 thousand.

On August 18, 1997, in honour of the 850th anniversary of Moscow and the 100th anniversary of Russian football, a friendly match between the national teams of Russia and FIFA was held on the arena, and a performance-divertissement dedicated to the anniversary of the capital took place.

- On August 11, 1998, The Rolling Stones performed at the stadium for the first time in Russia.

- Opening and competition of the first World Youth Games.

- Stadium included by UEFA into the list of 5-star European football stadiums.

The final of the UEFA Cup took place: “Olympic” (France) - “Parma” (Italy).

Champions League match: “Bayern” (Germany) - “Spartak” (Russia).

On September 12, 2006, Madonna performed at the stadium for the first time in history, having arrived in Russia as part of her Confessions Tour.

- The victory of the Russian national team over England with a score of 2:1 in the qualifying tournament for Euro 2008.

- On July 18, 2007, Metallica gave a concert at the stadium as part of the Sick of the Studio'07 tour, for the first time after their visit to Russia 16 years ago.

- 2007-2008 UEFA Champions League Final.

- On July 26, 2008, “85 years for MosKomSport” celebration. "U-Peter", "Chaif", "Crematorium" and others performed there.

- On May 9, 2010, a festive concert dedicated to the 65th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War.

- August 25, 2010, U2 concert took place as part of the 360° Tour.

From 2011 to 2013 inclusive, “Luzhniki” stadium hosted a music competition under the auspices of Alla Pugacheva "Factor A”.

On July 22, 2012, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, with the support of Gogol Bordello, gave a concert on the stage of the complex.

- World Championships in Athletics.

- Rugby Seven World Championship.

The stadium is closed for major renovations. After reconstruction, the stadium seats 81 thousand people and is the largest stadium in Russia. “Luzhniki” is also the largest stadium in Eastern Europe and is one of the ten largest football stadiums in Europe. The total area is 221 thousand square meters.

On May 31, 2014, on site in front of the Big sports arena, which was closed for reconstruction, in “Luzhniki” park “Machina vremeni” band gave a concert, dedicated to its 45th anniversary.

The first “Lastochka” international music festival was held, organised by the “Luzhniki” sport complex.

- The FIFA World Cup. During the championship, “Luzhniki” stadium became the country's main football arena.

- On August 29, 2018, the Imagine Dragons concert took place at the stadium. This concert was the first after the reconstruction of the Big sport arena.

- The second “Lastochka” international music festival.

- On May 31, 2019, a concert of the Bon Jovi band took place at the stadium, who performed in Russia again after 30 years.

- Gigs: Muse (June 15), Metallica (July 21), Rammstein (July 29).