Government allocates AMD 177.8 million for Ijevan stadium project

The Armenian government has allocated AMD 177 million 828 thousand for the preparation of design and cost-estimate documentation for the construction of a new football stadium in Ijevan.

The project concerns a UEFA Category 4 stadium, which is planned to be built in the Getahovit settlement of the Ijevan community. The funds will be allocated through a redistribution of the current-year budget of Armenia’s Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport.

The issue was presented at the government session by Minister Zhanna Andreasyan. She noted that the availability of UEFA Category 4 stadiums in Armenia was one of the key conditions for the approval of the joint bid with Georgia to host the 2029 FIFA U20 World Cup.

According to the minister, preparatory work in this direction began last year. Armenia had been preparing in advance both for the submission of the bid and for the possible hosting of the tournament.

Andreasyan said that the design process for the reconstruction of the stadium in Vanadzor has already started. The project is expected to be ready within the next one to two months, after which the main works will begin. The stadiums must be ready at least six months before the start of the World Cup.

The new stadium in Ijevan will have a capacity of 10,000 spectators. After the preparation of the design and cost-estimate documentation, the authorities intend to urgently start construction in order to complete the works by January 2029.

The minister also added that a business model for the operation of the future stadiums is being developed in parallel.

“These infrastructure facilities are of unprecedented importance for these regions, and it is important that they are properly operated in the future,” Andreasyan said.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan emphasized that the project is important not only for hosting the World Cup, but also for the development of the country’s sports infrastructure.

“This is not only about hosting the championship, but also about creating infrastructure that we did not previously have. This is certainly a challenge, as we are limited in time. However, it is important that we started the preparatory work in a timely manner,” Pashinyan stated.

According to the prime minister, the working group headed by the deputy prime minister is already dealing not only with the construction of stadiums, but also with related issues — accommodation, logistics and other organizational tasks.

Zhanna Andreasyan also said that the format of the U20 World Cup has already been approved. A total of 24 teams will take part in the tournament, with 52 matches to be played. Armenia and Georgia will each host 26 matches.

In Armenia, Yerevan will host 17 matches, while another 9 games will take place in Vanadzor and Ijevan. The teams playing in these two cities are planned to be accommodated in Dilijan.

According to the minister, around seven hotel complexes will be needed just to accommodate the teams and delegations. Work in this direction is already underway.

Andreasyan recalled that in December of last year the government acquired the necessary land plot for the construction of the stadium in Ijevan, purchasing it from 20 owners.

Thus, Armenia continues its infrastructure preparations for the 2029 FIFA U20 World Cup, which the country is set to host jointly with Georgia.