- Title: Russia's Kaliningrad prepares to host 2018 World Cup
- Date: 4th August 2017
- Summary: KALININGRAD, RUSSIA (RECENT) (REUTERS) OBSERVATION DECK AND HOUSE OF SOVIETS ON RIVER BANK VARIOUS OF HOUSES ON RIVER SIDE EXTERIOR OF CATHEDRAL TOMB OF PHILOSOPHER IMMANUEL KANT BEHIND FENCE, SIGN ON WALL WITH HIS NAME PEOPLE WALKING ALONG BRIDGE FOUNTAIN AT SQUARE FOUNTAIN, INFORMATION STAND WITH SYMBOL OF 2018 WORLD CUP (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) UNIDENTIFIED KALININGRAD RESIDENT, SAYING: "Of course this (reconstruction) is also necessary. If it was not for the championship, I think they (authorities) would never get rolling like that with the city improvements. So I think for us, for the city it is good." VARIOUS OF BUILDING BEING RENOVATED MEN RENOVATING PEDESTRIAN STREET CITY STREET VARIOUS OF SHIPS AND BOATS (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) UNIDENTIFIED TOURIST FROM KOSTROMA, SAYING: "If they (state authorities) don't give money to you now, they will not invest in other projects. (I'm) one hundred percent (sure) they will not give. So let them build at least all that. This will bring in tourists and money will automatically start flowing into your city." AIRPORT EXTERIOR RUSSIAN FLAG PEOPLE NEAR AIRPORT ENTRANCE PEOPLE REGISTERING FOR FLIGHTS DIGITAL SCREEN SHOWING ARRIVALS / DEPARTURES VARIOUS OF BANNER ON WALL READING (Russian): "KALININGRAD IS A HOST CITY OF 2018 FIFA WORLD CUP HELD IN RUSSIA" VARIOUS OF WORKERS INSIDE AIRPORT TERMINAL UNDER CONSTRUCTION NEW LUGGAGE CLAIM HALL PLANES ON TARMAC SEEN THROUGH WINDOW (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) UNIDENTIFIED KALININGRAD RESIDENT, SAYING: "For me, as for the city resident, it is wonderful that we will have the new roads, a stadium. And in general, the infrastructure will be improved." PEOPLE CYCLING ALONG ROAD UNDER CONSTRUCTION OVERPASS UNDER CONSTRUCTION, CARS DRIVING BY ROAD UNDER CONSTRUCTION AS SEEN FROM MOVING CAR VARIOUS OF ROAD UNDER RECONSTRUCTION VARIOUS OF STADIUM UNDER CONSTRUCTION VARIOUS OF EXCAVATOR LOADING SAND INTO TRUCK (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) UNIDENTIFIED KALININGRAD RESIDENT, SAYING: "I watch it (stadium) being built very slowly. I don't know what we will get in the end, but I think it would be better to give this money to the people. How many poor and suffering people there are?!" WORKERS WALKING VARIOUS OF CONSTRUCTION WORKS IN PROGRESS EXTERIOR OF STADIUM (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) UNIDENTIFIED KALININGRAD RESIDENT, SAYING: "What they do is right. Soccer is where money should be invested in now. Thanks to soccer the city gets better. And the money that, as you say, they (authorities) want to invest into social projects, for children...It is a question if money go there after all." KALININGRAD REGION, RUSSIA (RECENT) (REUTERS) VIEW OF SEASIDE WAVES PEOPLE DRIVING ALONG PROMENADE SOUVENIRS STAND IN STREET AMBER NECKLACES PARAGLIDERS ON BEACH WAVES
- Embargoed: 18th August 2017 13:28
- Keywords: Russia 2018 World Cup host city Kaliningrad preparations stadium construction
- Location: KALININGRAD AND KALININGRAD REGION, RUSSIA
- City: KALININGRAD AND KALININGRAD REGION, RUSSIA
- Country: Russia
- Topics: Soccer,Sport
- Reuters ID: LVA0016SQQZI7
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:As Russia prepares to host the 2018 World Cup next summer, its most westerly venue, Kaliningrad, the main city in an exclave next to Poland and Lithuania on the Baltic Sea shore, sees massive renovation.
The construction of the 2018 World Cup stadium started two years ago and still continues. The stadium, which is planned to seat 35,000 people, will be called Arena Baltika and will also host FC Baltika Kaliningrad of the Russian First Division.
The project of the stadium is said to be similar to the one of Munich's Allianz Arena, which hosted matches during the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
Kaliningrad, with a population of about 430,000, as a World Cup venue was long under threat as is took longer than other Russian cities to make a decision on a spot where the stadium would be built. The region does not have a strong soccer culture and there are fears that the stadium would not be often used after the tournament.
Local residents have different opinions on the construction works for the upcoming soccer championships. Some support the project with hope the legacy of the World Cup will help to develop sports and attract more tourists to the city. Others say the money could be spent on social needs.
Kaliningrad, which was part of Germany as Koenigsberg before 1945, has been famous for its seaside and amber attracting mainly Russian tourists. With 2018 World Cup championships the numbers are expected to grow.
Other Russian cities to host World Cup matches in 2018 are Moscow, St. Petersburg, Sochi, Kazan, Saransk, Volgograd, Rostov-on-Don, Nizhny Novgorod, Yekaterinburg and Samara. The games will be held between June 14 and July 15 at 12 stadiums, two of which are located in the Russian capital. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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