Dmitry Chernyshenko: “Yamal Arena” meets all international standards and even exceeds them

Published on: 2026-09-13

Source: Government of the Russian Federation –

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The grand opening of the largest sports facility in the Russian Arctic – “Yamal Arena” – took place in Salekhard. The ceremony was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko and the governor of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug (YNAO), Dmitry Artyukhov. The event brought together about 200 young Yamal hockey players and figure skaters, as well as 2,800 spectators – residents of the region.

Dmitry Chernyshenko congratulated the residents of Salekhard on City Day, noting that the “Yamal Arena” became the best gift for the holiday. The capital of the YNAO turned 431 years old.

“Many thanks to everyone who contributed their labor and resources to Yamal Arena; it meets all international standards and even exceeds them. A barrier-free environment, nearly 30,000 sq. m, such an amount of sports infrastructure capable of hosting competitions of the highest level. All this will make a significant contribution so that we fulfill the goal set by our President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin – that by 2030 at least 70% of our citizens regularly engage in sports. I am confident that a great number of sports stars will be born here; they will be true heroes and role models, whom you will be proud of and whom your children and grandchildren will look up to. Safe journey!” noted Dmitry Chernyshenko.

The Deputy Prime Minister thanked the Governor of YNAO Dmitry Artyukhov, the Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Ecology, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Dmitry Kobylkin, as well as the designers, builders, and all those involved in the implementation of this project.

The symbolic start of the work was given by the first puck drop on the new ice rink. The city’s residents were presented with Ilya Averbukh’s ice show “Together and Forever.” Olympic champions and famous figure skaters took to the Yamal ice: Anna Shcherbakova, Alexei Yagudin, Tatiana Totmyanina, Maxim Marinin, and other stars of Russian figure skating.

“A historic event for the oldest city of Yamal on its birthday – we are launching the largest sports complex in the global Arctic – ‘Yamal Arena.’ In the North, where winter lasts nine months, covered modern sports facilities are especially needed. They allow residents to strengthen their health, and our young talents to take their first, confident steps toward victories and sports records. You can spend an entire weekend at ‘Yamal Arena’ – it has everything for active recreation. I thank Dmitry Nikolaevich Kobylkin for the idea: I remember the meeting when the thought to build such a facility was born. I thank Dmitry Nikolaevich Chernyshenko for supporting the development of sports in our country and region. Congratulations to all residents on the new sports facility. I’m sure everyone will find a hobby to their liking here. I declare ‘Yamal Arena’ open!” said Yamal Governor Dmitry Artyukhov.

The Yamal Arena covers an area of about 30,000 square meters. Under one roof, there are two ice arenas, two swimming pools including the city’s first 50-meter pool with diving platforms, as well as a large game hall featuring the city’s first professional climbing wall, a gym, and a choreography hall. The complex’s simultaneous capacity is up to 4,000 people.

Various sports sections will operate at the Yamal Arena. The sports school “Fakel Yamal” will move into the new building — the arena will become the institution’s new base and the home venue for the hockey club of the same name. A new rock climbing section will also open. Additionally, trainees from the city sports school “Start” will move to the Yamal Arena.

The new building will house a futsal division of the “Favorit” sports school. The volleyball division will receive an additional training court. Both sections will double the intake of enthusiasts. Two ice rinks are provided for hockey and figure skating training. The main arena can be transformed for different competition formats. This will allow regional championships and tournaments, as well as all-Russian and international level competitions, to be held.

For the residents and guests of Salekhard, sports and wellness services will be introduced as the facilities open. One of the first to become available will be an area for independent training — a gym with an area of more than 480 sq. m. The choreography hall will also be open for visits. Mass ice skating sessions will be organized in the ice arena.

Over the past seven years, 68 sports facilities have been built in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug. Four more are currently under construction. The construction of sports facilities aligns with the goals of the state program “Sport of Russia” and the federal project “Development of Physical Culture and Mass Sports,” as well as addresses the objectives of the national project “Youth and Children.”

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