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After walking through the amusement park in Pripyat, we found ourselves on a wide path lined by trees on both sides.

“What do you think this path is?”, asked the guide.

 

Stadium “Avangard”

As we approached the grandstand, it became clear that it was the running track of Pripyat’s Stadium “Avangard”. None of us would have ever guessed it. What was once the football field was now a green forest.

Track at Stadium "Avangard" in Pripyat, Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, Ukraine
Track
Track at Stadium "Avangard" in Pripyat, Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, Ukraine
Track
The field at Stadium "Avangard" in Pripyat, Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, Ukraine
The field

We had a chance to explore the bleachers and go inside the stadium, which was the home of FC Stroitel Pripyat. The team was founded in the mid-1970s and played in the lower tiers of the Soviet Union football league system. After the city of Slavutych was formed to relocate residents of the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, the team became FC Stroitel Slavutych in 1987. That team ceased operations after just one year.

Stadium "Avangard" in Pripyat, Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, Ukraine
Stadium “Avangard”
Stadium "Avangard" in Pripyat, Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, Ukraine
Stadium “Avangard”
Stadium "Avangard" in Pripyat, Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, Ukraine
The stands at Stadium “Avangard”
Stadium "Avangard" in Pripyat, Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, Ukraine
The stands at Stadium “Avangard”
Looking towards the field at Stadium "Avangard" in Pripyat, Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, Ukraine
Looking towards the field
Stadium "Avangard" in Pripyat, Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, Ukraine
Stadium “Avangard”
Stadium "Avangard" in Pripyat, Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, Ukraine
Top row of the stands at Stadium “Avangard”
Stadium "Avangard" in Pripyat, Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, Ukraine
Top row of the stands at Stadium “Avangard”
Stadium "Avangard" in Pripyat, Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, Ukraine
Stadium “Avangard”
Stadium "Avangard" in Pripyat, Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, Ukraine
Stadium “Avangard”
Stadium "Avangard" in Pripyat, Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, Ukraine
Concourse at Stadium “Avangard”
Stadium "Avangard" in Pripyat, Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, Ukraine
Stadium “Avangard”
Stadium "Avangard" in Pripyat, Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, Ukraine
Stadium “Avangard”
Lights at Stadium "Avangard" in Pripyat, Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, Ukraine
Lights
Lights at Stadium "Avangard" in Pripyat, Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, Ukraine
Lights

Later on in the day, we passed by the gates and ticket booth of the stadium.

Gates at Stadium "Avangard" in Pripyat, Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, Ukraine
Gates
Gates at Stadium "Avangard" in Pripyat, Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, Ukraine
Gates
Gates at Stadium "Avangard" in Pripyat, Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, Ukraine
Looking towards the gates
Extra seats at Stadium "Avangard" in Pripyat, Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, Ukraine
Extra seats

Author

Owner of Paisadventure. World traveler. Chicago sports lover. Living in Colombia.

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