Armenia advances FIFA U-20 World Cup preparations with new stadium project in Ijevan

The Armenian government is advancing preparations for co-hosting the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2029, with the Cabinet on Thursday approving the procurement of design and cost-estimation works for the construction of a UEFA-standard 10,000-seat football stadium in Ijevan.

Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports Zhanna Andreasyan presented the procedural decision.

Andreasyan noted that one of the key requirements for hosting the tournament in Armenia is the availability of UEFA Category 4 stadiums.

She said that work in this direction began last year. In Vanadzor, the design process for the reconstruction of a stadium has already started, and the government expects to have the completed design within the next 1–2 months.

Andreasyan noted that in December last year, the government had already acquired the necessary land plots from 20 owners for the Ijevan stadium.

The design works are expected to be entrusted to the internationally experienced company VenueEra Holding LLC. The minister said the company is also involved in the Vanadzor stadium reconstruction project and has experience in designing and constructing high-level stadiums.

As examples of the company’s portfolio, Andreasyan mentioned Budapest’s Puskás Aréna, Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah Sports City, and Saint Petersburg’s Gazprom Arena, all of which have hosted major international competitions.

She added that negotiations are also underway with the company regarding possible joint implementation of the stadium construction phase.

“As a result of this decision, we will be able to urgently launch and implement the construction of a 10,000-seat UEFA-standard football stadium in Ijevan within the set timeframe, ensuring its completion by January 2029,” she said.

To implement the decision, a reallocation of 177.828 million drams in the state budget is proposed, which will be directed to design and cost-estimation works.

The FIFA U-20 World Cup 2029 will take place in Armenia and Georgia.

Around 30 matches will be held in Armenia. Preliminarily, up to 20 matches will take place in Yerevan, while the rest will be held in Vanadzor and Ijevan.