This is one of the largest stadiums in Europe and the second largest in the U. S. S. R. after the Lenin Central Stadium in Moscow. The designers are the architects A. S. Nikolsky, K. I. Ka-shin and N. N. Stepanov.
The total capacity of the stadium is 110,000 with seats for 80,000 people. The benches are arranged in an amphitheatre on the inner slopes of an artificially raised bank. The amphitheatre includes 55 rows of seats divided into 52 sectors. If all the benches were laid end to end, they would stretch for 34 kilometres.
In a wide square facing the main entrance stands a monument to S. M. Kirov erected by the sculptor V. B. Pinchiik.
The stadium is a magnificent sight. It is situated on the shore of the Gulf of Finland in the midst of the extensive wooded area of the Primorsky Victory Park on Krestovsky Island; it is surrounded by excellent asphalted drives.
It is here that most important football matches and other sports competitions, including international ones, are arranged.
