Plans for the stadium were finalised when Russia was awarded the 2018 tournament and Rostov-on-Don was selected as a host city. It is inspired by the ancient mounds of earth, Kurgans, found locally. The first ground preparation works started in 2013, while actual foundation works commenced in 2015. Opening was delayed to 15 April 2018 — cutting it fine. After the World Cup, the stadium will be scaled down to a capacity of 25 000.