Traveling on a budget: FIFA Fan Fest
Witnessing the football action live at the Russia 2018 World cup can be pretty amazing but if you’re traveling on a budget, step into a real party atmosphere at the FIFA Fan Fest venues. Join a mix of people from all over the world as they celebrate their love for football in a relaxed and laid back way. It’s a real festival!
What really is a FIFA Fan Fest?
Well, the FIFA Fan Fest was borne out of the 2002 World Cup in South Korea when football fans who could not buy match day tickets or get to the stadiums on time would converge in large public centers to watch live matches together on big screens.
In 2006, FIFA made the Fan Fest an official programme at the World Cup held in Germany.
The idea behind it?
To give fans a more relaxed but pumped up atmosphere with activities for both local fans and traveling fans to connect with each other as well as enjoy their stay in the host cities.
The Fan Fests are usually put together in the most “touristy” neighborhoods – main squares and streets, parks, beaches, etc.
The FIFA Fan Fest offers more than just live matches on big screens and a vibrant atmosphere. It also serves as a great opportunity for the host cities to show their distinct culture, arts, and love for football. Fans should expect music concerts from both local and international acts, FIFA video games, soccer table games, refreshing drinks, food, friendly games on Astroturf between fans and lots more.
Where are the 2018 FIFA Fan Fest Venues?
Feel the vibrant streets of Russia, regardless of the part of the country you find yourself.
11 cities across Russia will have venues to host the FIFA Fan Fest.
Ekaterinburg
Venue Location: Mayakovsky Central Park of Entertainment and Culture
Capacity: 17,000 fans
Source: FIFA
Kaliningrad
Venue Location: Tsentralnaya Square
Capacity: 25,000
Source: Kaliningrad Oblast
Kazan
Venue Location: Family Center Kazan
Capacity: 30,000
Source: @KurtFathul – Twitter
Moscow
Venue Location: Vorobyovy Gory
Capacity: 30,000
Source: Dronestagram
Nizhny Novgorod
Venue Location: Minina I Pozharskogo Square
Capacity: 15,000
Source: IntoRussia
Rostov-on-Don
Venue Location: Teatralnaya Square
Capacity: 25,000
Source: Getty Images
Saint Petersburg
Venue Location: Konyushennaya Square
Capacity: 15,000
Source: Visit Petersburg
Samara
Venue Location: Kuybysheva Square
Capacity: 35,000
Source: Pinterest
Saransk
Venue Location: Sovetskaya Square
Capacity: 25,000
Source: Getty Images
Sochi
Venue Location: South Mall of the Seaport
Capacity: 10,000
Source: Medium
Volgograd
Venue Location: 62 Armii Embankment
Capacity: 30,000
Source: Russia Beyond
