In April 2012, the regional government chose the French architectural bureau Wilmotte & Associes, SA stadium construction project. The project itself is worth $720 million. 50% of the sum will be allocated from the federal budget, and the other half from the regional budget. Construction began soon after. It is worth noting that the stadium after the 2018 World Cup will become a 25,000-seat venue. To accommodate this downsizing, a part of the roof was removed. At the end of October 2012 the regional authorities announced an open competition to develop the project and working documents for the World Cup stadium. The winner was Mostovik. At the beginning of March 2013, Mostovik published a stadium sketch, which received the working title of Arena Baltika. In June 2014 the Omsk Arbitration Court declared "Mostovik" bankrupt and, in March 2015, termination of the contract with the company began. On 1 April 2014 a government order published by the government declared the appointment of ZAO "Crocus International" as the sole executor of the Ministry of Sports of the Russian Federation for the works on the construction. The state contract was signed between the Government of the Kaliningrad Oblast and Crocus International "to develop the project and working documentation on the design of the stadium". On 10 June 2015 it was reported that the stadium project was sent to the state examination. On 20 July, the layout of the stadium was presented. At first, regional authorities considered the option with the construction of new sports facilities in the city center, on the place of the current Baltika Stadium. Finally, in December 2014 it was announced that Oktyabrsky Island will be the location of the new stadium, even though it is often under threat of flooding and work on it requires additional financial investments. On 10 August 2015, it became known that the stadium would be named "Stadium Kaliningrad" or in the English version, Kaliningrad Stadium.
Construction
Soil compaction work was completed in December 2014. Preparation work for construction of the infrastructure started in January 2015. Testing for the stadium piles and foundation began in July of that year.
Services for Fans
The following services are available to fans visiting the Kaliningrad Stadium:
Navigation support
Information desk
Storage room
Audio descriptive commentary equipment for fans who are blind or visually impaired
Moreover, an accessible sector at the stadium offers special seating options for people with disabilities, with comfortable accommodation for wheelchair users and their accompanying persons.
Safety and Security
The stadium is equipped with alarm and public alert systems, metal detectors, indicators of hazardous liquids and explosives, and it will be serviced by 30 24-hour security posts.
Work on consolidation and drainage of Oktyabrsky Island
Natural weak soils were stabilized and work was completed at the site measuring 43.75 hectares by September 2016. The area measuring 20.02 hectares by 33.85 hectares was filled and soil compacted. During excavation, some pre-war buildings' infrastructure was found which was not marked on the topographic survey. These issues have been dealt with in an expeditious manner. The project includes construction of the overpass East from Oktyabrsky island and from the street.
