Khankendi:President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, attended the reopening of Khankendi Stadium following a significant renovation. The reopening event took place on November 7, as reported by APA. During the event, Minister of Youth and Sports, Farid Gayibov, provided President Aliyev with a briefing on the new facilities at the stadium.

According to Azeri-Press news agency, Khankendi City Stadium was initially commissioned in 1956. In 2023, Khankendi was liberated from Armenian occupation by the Azerbaijani Armed Forces through anti-terrorist operations, which led to the commencement of comprehensive reconstruction efforts. The stadium has now been renovated to meet UEFA Category 3 standards, with its grounds expanded to 3.39 hectares.

The renovated stadium boasts a seating capacity of 8,554, including 8,214 standard seats, 251 VIP seats, 59 seats for media representatives, and 30 for spectators with disabilities. It features an artificial turf pitch measuring 105 meters by 68 meters, as well as an athletics track for several track and field events.

The stadium also includes specialized rooms for football players, technical staff, referees, coaches, and media representatives, along with a press conference hall and a medical center. This renovation project underscores Azerbaijan's commitment to enhancing sports infrastructure and promoting the healthy development of the younger generation across the liberated territories.

Azerbaijan continues to host prestigious international sporting events, reinforcing its reputation as a sporting nation. The country has been selected as the venue for events like the FIFA U-15 World Championship and Festival, and the upcoming FIFA U-20 World Cup.