Azadi Stadium to reopen on Dec. 29, sports minister confirms
The Azadi Stadium in Tehran will reopen with a friendly game featuring retired Iranian footballers on December 29, the country’s sports minister, Ahmad Donyamali, confirmed on Wednesday.
The iconic stadium has been under renovation since June 20, when the venue last hosted the domestic cup final between Sepahan and Mes Rafsanjan.
“The first phase of the renovation project has concluded and the stadium’s mechanical infrastructure and lighting system will be assessed and tested during a friendly game between the retired players on December 29,” the Iranian top official told reporters.
A first competitive game in 197 days on the Azadi pitch will be staged on January 3, with Esteghlal hosting Sepahan in the Persian Gulf Pro League, added the sports minister.
The news comes as a boost for Tehran archrivals Persepolis and Esteghlal, who have been forced to play their domestic and Asian home games in the 8,000-capacity Shahr-e Qods Stadium – on the outskirts of the Iranian capital – or other neutral venues since the start of the season in August.
The two sides will be looking to benefit from a massive home support in what is already deemed as must-win home fixtures in the last two rounds of the AFC Champions League Elite group phase in February.
Sitting eighth in the west zone’s 12-team table, Esteghlal will welcome bottom-side Al Shorta of Iraq on February 3, before visiting Qatar’s Al Rayyan on Feb. 18.
Six-placed Persepolis, meanwhile, will return to Asian action with a visit to Riyadh on Feb. 4 to take on Al Hilal, and will then host Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr on Feb. 17.
The top eight of the table will progress to the knockout stage.