January 6 – Work on a new stadium in Aghdam is set to get underway after Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Youth and Sports signed off on a major construction contract for the Imaret Stadium.
The agreement has been awarded to PMD Project LLC and covers the first phase of the build, including early procurement and groundwork. Valued at 60.5 million manat – around £26 million – the deal represents a significant initial outlay and formally moves the project from planning into construction.
According to azerisport.com, this opening phase will focus on establishing the core structure of the stadium, with the full details around capacity and completion timelines yet to be released.
Aghdam previously hosted the original Imaret Stadium, which was built in 1952 and housed Qarabag FK. However, the facility was destroyed during the First Nagorno-Karabakh War in June 1993 following bombardments from Armenian military.
Foundations were laid on September 19, 2024 on the new stadium. It is planned to be built in accordance with UEFA’s 4th category requirements and will have a seating capacity of 11,700 spectators.
For the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the project fits into a broader push to modernise sporting infrastructure across Azerbaijan – much of the country’s recent investment has been concentrated in Baku, but there has been a growing emphasis on developing facilities beyond the country’s glittering capital.
Breaking the project into phases allows the authorities to manage costs while maintaining progress, rather than committing to a full build upfront. PMD Project LLC’s involvement in the first stage puts the company at the centre of a project likely to attract close attention as it develops.
The £26 million value attached to this phase alone underlines the importance being placed on the stadium. With the contract now signed, the Imaret Stadium has taken a tangible step towards becoming a reality.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at [email protected]