Slavutych-Arena

The pitch at Slavutych-Arena is not just a rectangle of green; it is laid over a liquid heating system that pumps antifreeze through the soil.

The stands themselves tell a story of transition. The new structure was completed in 2006, making it the first stadium in the country to fully comply with UEFA standards. You can see the difference between the covered sections, where the roof curves over the spectators, and the open-air ends where the sky is visible.

Inside, the atmosphere is quieter than in the older Soviet-era grounds. The press box sits high above the main stand, and a VIP lounge offers a view of the pitch without the noise of the crowd. It has also seen the Ukraine national team, including their first match there against Estonia.

FC Zorya Luhansk once camped here for a few years, seeking safety from the conflict in Eastern Ukraine. Today, the official website is largely inactive, but the ground remains a functional heart of the city, owned by the Zaporizhzhia City Council. The seating capacity sits just under 12,000, with most supporters sheltered from the wind.