By James Crook

russia-world-cup-2018-kazan-stadiumMarch 13 - Kazan's Rubin Arena, which will host the Opening and Closing Ceremonies for the 2013 Universiade and matches at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, is expected to cost up to 12.5 billion roubles ($406 million/£271 million/€310 million), the construction firm building the stadium confirmed.

The announcement, made by Glavinveststroi's deputy head Alfred Giliev during a tour of the Kazan 2013 facilities, comes just as Tatarstan regional Deputy President Almaz Akhmetshin confirmed the Aquatics Palace, which will be a key venue during this year's Universiade as well as the host of the 2015 World Aquatics Championships, will cost 3.6 billion rubles (£78 million/$117 million/€90 million).

The 45,000-capacity Rubin Arena will become the permanent home stadium of two-time Russian Premier League Champions FC Rubin Kazan in 2014 and, although it had been due for completion in December 2012, construction is ongoing.

It was hoped that it would be ready in time to host football at the 2013 Universiade, but the announcement from Burganov quashed those hopes, and the Stadium will therefore only host the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, and there will be no natural grass surface in place at this time.

154781181The Rubin Arena will become the city's biggest stadium upon completion, taking over from the Central Stadium

The Stadium will also host group stage matches at the Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup and will become the biggest football stadium in the city, taking over from Rubin Kazan's current home ground, Central Stadium.

Rubin Kazan had been hoping to move to the Stadium following the winter break last December, but were told they would have to wait until 2014 at the earliest to move into the stadium by regional Sports Minister Rafis Burganov.

"Of course I understand the club's desire to move there sooner because it's a unique stadium, but next year, I'm afraid, it won't be possible to do that," he said.

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