28 Forgotten Stadium Grounds Around The World Left Abandoned

9. Astana Arena – Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan

Astana Arena, located in Kazakhstan’s capital city of Nur-Sultan (formerly Astana), was inaugurated in 2009 with a modern retractable roof and a seating capacity of 30,000. Designed to be one of the country’s premier football and event venues, it hosted matches for Kazakhstan’s national football team, local club FC Astana, and other international fixtures. The stadium also held concerts and large-scale events, making it a key part of the city’s sports and entertainment scene. However, despite its relatively young age, Astana Arena has seen declining usage in recent years. The country’s football league struggles with attendance issues, and the stadium’s operating costs have proven to be unsustainable. Many planned events have been canceled, leaving the venue largely underutilized. With no significant maintenance or renovation efforts in place, the structure has started showing early signs of neglect, such as water damage and deteriorating seating areas. While it is not completely abandoned yet, Astana Arena faces an uncertain future, with concerns that it could follow the fate of other underused mega-stadiums that eventually fell into disrepair.