On September 29, 2011, Joseph Blatter, then president of FIFA, announced Samara as one of the 11 Russian cities selected to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup. This historic decision brought international attention to this vibrant city on the Volga River.
The Samara Arena Stadium was set to host six exciting matches during the tournament. Along with national football teams, thousands of fans traveled to the city to experience world-class football and explore Samara’s unique attractions and rich cultural heritage.
FIFA World Cup 2018 Match Schedule in Samara
Samara has a deep-rooted passion for football. The city is home to Krylia Sovetov, an authentic and historically significant football club with a loyal fanbase. Local residents enthusiastically supported their team and wholeheartedly embraced the opportunity to host World Cup matches.
Here is the complete match schedule for games held at Samara Arena:
Group Stage Matches
- Costa Rica vs Serbia (Group E) – June 17, Sunday, 3:00 PM (15:00)
- Denmark vs Australia (Group C) – June 21, Thursday, 6:00 PM (18:00)
- Uruguay vs Russia (Group A) – June 25, Monday, 5:00 PM (17:00)
- Senegal vs Colombia (Group H) – June 28, Thursday, 5:00 PM (17:00)
Knockout Stage Matches
In addition to the group stage, Samara Arena hosted two crucial playoff matches:
- Round of 16 – July 2 at 5:00 PM (17:00)
- Quarterfinal – July 7 at 5:00 PM (17:00)
Samara Arena: A Stadium with Cosmic Inspiration
The design of Samara’s new stadium reflects the city’s strong connection to Russia’s space industry. Samara is home to numerous aerospace enterprises that have played a vital role in developing domestic rocket technology. To honor this heritage, architects designed a striking two-tier stadium with a distinctive spheroid shape featuring cosmic design elements.
Originally named “Cosmos Arena,” the stadium was officially called Samara Arena during the World Cup tournament.
World-Class Stadium Features
Samara Arena meets all FIFA requirements and includes:
- Artificial heating system for year-round use
- Natural grass playing field
- Automated irrigation system
- Infrared seat heating for spectator comfort
The stadium covers an impressive 37-hectare area and sits in the Radio Center village at Samara’s highest point. It has a seating capacity of 45,000 spectators.
Infrastructure Improvements for the World Cup
Preparing for the 2018 FIFA World Cup transformed Samara’s infrastructure significantly. The city invested in numerous development projects to accommodate international visitors:
- Transportation: A new highway to Samara Arena, upgraded transport junctions, and an 18.5-kilometer high-speed tramway connecting the railway station to the stadium
- River Access: Modernized navigable park with four new piers, including one near the stadium
- Road Connections: The Frunze Bridge linking Samara with Novokuibyshevsk and new electric power lines
- Airport Upgrade: A brand-new Kurumoch Airport terminal with capacity for up to 40 million passengers annually; the old terminal converted into a VIP lounge
Additionally, a 50-kilometer stretch of the federal M-5 highway leading to the airport was completely renovated. A new heliport was constructed, and the Gagarin Centre was relocated. The Central Bank of Russia also issued commemorative 3-rouble coins featuring Samara’s iconic monument to the Soyuz launch vehicle. These improvements dramatically transformed northern Samara in preparation for the tournament.
Top Tourist Attractions in Samara
Samara is a picturesque city along the Volga River, offering visitors Russia’s longest embankment for leisurely walks, beautiful green parks, and fascinating museums. The city’s architecture showcases an impressive variety of styles, from traditional classical mansions and historic churches to bold examples of modern and socialist constructivist design.
Must-Visit Landmarks and Monuments
Samara offers a wealth of attractions for every type of traveler:
- Historic Sites: Stalin’s Bunker, Monument of Glory, Kurlina House
- Religious Architecture: Sacred Heart Church (Catholic), Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, Ascension Cathedral, Church of Our Lady of Kazan, Lutheran Church, St. Sophia Church, Cathedral of Saints Cyril and Methodius
- Parks and Gardens: Yuri Gagarin Park, Strukovsky Garden, Country Park
- Unique Monuments: Monument to Red Army soldier Fyodor Sukhov, soldier Švejk, and Yuri Detochkin
- Museums: Railway Museum, Samara Zoo
- Historic Breweries: Zhigulevsk Brewing Company
- Monasteries: Nikolaevsky Monastery, Iversky Monastery
Samara’s Hidden Gems
While exploring all of Samara’s attractions in a single visit is challenging, these destinations are absolute must-sees:
- “Cosmic Samara” Museum – celebrating the city’s aerospace heritage
- Iversky Monastery – a beautifully restored Orthodox women’s monastery
- Samarskaya Luka National Park – stunning natural landscapes
- Vertoletka Observation Deck – breathtaking panoramic views of the Volga River
Samara Embankment: Russia’s Longest Riverfront Promenade
Stretching an impressive 5 kilometers along the Volga River, Samara Embankment holds the distinction of being the longest riverfront promenade on the entire Volga. It’s the perfect place for scenic walks, outdoor activities, and enjoying riverside views.
“Cosmic Samara” Museum: Celebrating Space Exploration
Opened on April 12, 2001, to coincide with Cosmonautics Day, the “Cosmic Samara” Museum is a tribute to Russia’s space achievements. The museum forms an impressive architectural ensemble featuring a towering rocket monument and comprehensive thematic exhibitions.
Visitors can explore:
- Authentic flight vehicles and spacecraft equipment
- Original space suits worn by cosmonauts
- Samples of real space food
- A futuristic sci-fi exhibition zone for an immersive experience
Children’s Art Gallery Museum
The Children’s Art Gallery Museum occupies a historic 19th-century merchant mansion once owned by I. A. Te-Clodt. This beautifully preserved landmark building showcases children’s artwork and offers educational programs for young visitors.
The Elephant House: Art Nouveau Architecture
Built in 1909, the Elephant House stands as one of Samara’s most distinctive architectural landmarks. This Art Nouveau masterpiece was designed through a collaboration between architect V. V. Tepfer and Konstantin Golovkin, a merchant, entrepreneur, and self-taught artist.
The mansion’s design draws inspiration from the Vienna Secession movement—an unusually sophisticated choice for provincial Russian city planning in the early 20th century.
Iversky Monastery: A Restored Orthodox Treasure
Iversky Monastery is an Orthodox women’s monastery founded in 1850. It flourished until the 1917 Revolution, growing to house approximately 400 nuns by the early 20th century. During its peak, the monastery operated its own hospital, school, and trading shops.
Following its closure in 1925, the religious complex fell into disrepair. Revival came in 1992 when restoration efforts began, renovating the remaining churches and buildings and reintroducing sacred services.
“Barge Haulers on the Volga” Sculpture
Installed on Samara’s embankment in 2014, this remarkable sculpture commemorates the 170th anniversary of painter Ilya Repin’s birth. Created by local sculptor N. Kuklev, the artwork brings Repin’s famous canvas to life in three dimensions.
The sculpture faithfully reproduces the original painting, complete with a decorative frame, while allowing visitors to examine the figures from every angle.
Samara Railway Station: Europe’s Tallest
Samara Railway Station is more than a transit hub—it’s a multifunctional complex offering comfortable waiting rooms, the Kuybyshev Railway Museum, and a spectacular observation deck. This impressive station holds the distinction of being the tallest railway station in all of Europe.
Car Rental Companies in Samara
If you’re planning to explore Samara and its surroundings by car, several reliable rental companies are available throughout the city:
- Fora – 209 Aurora Street | Phone: 8 (800) 222-62-46 | Website: автопрокат-фора.рф | Near Sportivnaya Metro
- Avtoprokat-Samara – 44b Antonov-Ovseenko | Phone: +7 (846) 205-09-44 | Website: автопрокат-самара.рф | Near Pobeda Metro
- Samara-Limo – 46 Dzerzhinsky Street | Phone: +7 (846) 244-46-47 | Website: samaralimo.ru | Near Gagarinskaya Metro
- Avtoprokat Mars – 162B Novo-Sadovaya Street | Phone: +7 (917) 100-00-50 | Website: marscar.ru | Near Rossiyskaya Metro
- Guf-avto – 308A Kirov Prospekt | Phone: +7 (846) 225-29-55 | Website: rentcar63.ru | Near Bezymyanka Metro
- Avtoprokat-63 – 46 Dzerzhinsky Street | Phone: +7 (846) 244-46-47 | Website: avtoprokat63.ru | Near Gagarinskaya Metro
- ABS Car Rental – 123 Leo Tolstoy Street | Phone: +7 (987) 955-22-95 | Website: absmr.ru | Near Alabinskaya Metro
- VIP-TAXI – 176 Molodogvardeyskaya Street | Phone: +7 (846) 225-48-88 | Website: car63.ucoz.ru | Near Alabinskaya Metro
- Samara Comfort (Long-distance VIP taxi) – 73A Academician Platonov Street | Phone: +7 (927) 607-28-12 | Website: komfortsam.ru/taksi-v-aeroport | Near Rossiyskaya Metro
- Allegro Transport Company – 15 Novouritskaya Street | Phone: +7 (846) 233-42-88 | Website: www.samara-limousine.ru | Near Moskovskaya Metro
International Driving Permit Requirements
Planning to rent a car in Samara? You’ll need an International Driving Permit (IDP) to drive legally in Russia. Don’t miss the opportunity to explore this beautiful region with the freedom of your own vehicle!
Get your International Driving Permit today and drive confidently anywhere in the world. Apply here.
Published May 28, 2018 • 8m to read
