Intended for 50,000 spectators, Donbass Arena is the first stadium in Eastern Europe designed and built in line with Elite-Class UEFA standards (5-Star Standard). The project of the staium with a set-up park around it cost USD 400m.

The construction was launched in 2006. The general contractor is a Turkish company ENKA. The Stadium is due to be completed and opened in 2009.

Donbass Arena was designed by ArupSport Company, which has built the City of Manchester Stadium (Manchester, England); Allianz Stadium (Munich, Germany); Espanol Stadium (Barcelona, Spain); and Sydney Football Stadium (Sydney, Australia). An exceptional engineering solution – the soaring roof effect – will make the Stadium resemble a flying saucer. The oval shape and the glazed fa?ade ensure a memorable outlook. The Stadium is located near RSK Olimpiyskiy Regional Sports Complex creating an elegant architectural ensemble. 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 will make the Stadium shine like a diamond at night.

The interior design will accommodate all fans in a single bowl rather than in four separate stands. The first row of seats is very close to the pitch offering excellent visibility. The seating area slightly curves on the corners to give a better view. An area of 170 seats has been designed for wheelchair users and their companions.

Donbass Arena will also host three restaurants, four bars for owners of season-cards, a lounge-bar, dozens of fast foods, sales outlets, a fitness centre as well as a fan-caf?, a museum and FC Shakhtar brand shop.

Corporate customers of Donbass Arena will enjoy the Ukraine’s only opportunity to rent a corporate suite. On match-days the suites will offer top-comfort facilities to watch games with business partners and colleagues.

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

Stadium tours will add to the list of distinctions. The general concept of the future tours will include the insight into unique features of 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 will also be a place for concerts and shows. The Stadium’s facilities and acoustics will meet demands of local artists and international superstars.

The games on the pitch will be displayed on two LED–screens of around 100 sq.m. each – one of the largest screens in Europe. The field will be also surrounded with electronic advertising boards of 200 metres long.

Donbass Arena will be a home pitch for FC Shakhtar and a cultural centre of Donbass capital. In addition, the facility is regarded as a venue for Champions League and UEFA Cup finals.