Khankendi:President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev attended the reopening of Khankendi Stadium following a major overhaul. The stadium, which was originally commissioned in 1956, underwent comprehensive reconstruction after the city of Khankendi was liberated from Armenian occupation in 2023 as a result of anti-terrorist operations by the Azerbaijani Armed Forces.

According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, the Minister of Youth and Sports Farid Gayibov informed President Aliyev about the new facilities created at the stadium. The renovation brought the stadium up to UEFA Category 3 standards, with an expanded area of 3.39 hectares. The stadium now has a total seating capacity of 8,554, including 8,214 standard seats, 251 VIP seats, 59 seats for media representatives, and 30 seats for spectators with disabilities.

The overhaul included the installation of an artificial turf pitch measuring 105 meters by 68 meters and an athletics track equipped for various races and track and field events. The stadium also features dedicated rooms for football players, technical staff, referees, coaches, and media representatives, as well as a press conference hall and a medical center.

The reopening of the stadium highlights the Azerbaijani government's commitment to supporting sports and reflects the importance placed on developing sports infrastructure in liberated territories. This initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance Azerbaijan's international reputation as a sporting nation, through the construction of Olympic sports complexes and hosting prestigious international sporting events such as the FIFA U-15 World Championship and Festival, and the upcoming FIFA U-20 World Cup.