Ukrainian professional football club FC Shakhtar Donetsk, is building the $400 million 50,000-capacity stadium in the center of the Donetsk City in Ukraine.
The launch of the most technologically advanced stadium in the country was planned for August 2009. But now expectations of hosting the Euro 2012 are getting shattered thanks to the lack of infrastructure facilities such as airports, the highways and the hotels.
Intended for 50,000 spectators, Donbass Arena, designed by ArupSport Company, would have been the first stadium in Eastern Europe designed and built in line with Elite-Class UEFA standards.
The roof of the stadium has been designed to slope from north to south, matching the landscape and contributing to the natural lighting, and an airy pitch. The external lighting would be arranged in such a way that the stadium would shine like a diamond at night. The soaring roof effect has been designed to make the stadium resemble a flying saucer.
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 curves slightly on the corners to give a better view. An area of 170 seats has been designed for wheelchair users and their companions.
UEFA, Europe’s football governing body, has given a time line of November 30, 2009, to show significant improvement in the construction of the stadium and other related amenities. Otherwise it would face losing most of the matches to co-host Poland.
