Barys Arena

Barys Arena, located in Astana, Kazakhstan, is a modern multi-purpose indoor venue that opened on 9 August 2015. It serves as the home ground for Barys Astana of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) and boasts a seating capacity of 11,578 for ice hockey events. ?

Beyond its primary function as an ice hockey venue, Barys Arena is designed to accommodate a variety of sports and entertainment events. The main ice rink can be swiftly transformed to host basketball, volleyball, futsal matches, boxing events, concerts, and forums. The complex also includes a swimming pool, a diving pool, and other amenities catering to athletes and spectators.

In the realm of boxing, Barys Arena has played a significant role in promoting the sport within Kazakhstan. Notably, it hosted the 2016 AIBA Women's World Boxing Championships from 19 to 27 May, attracting competitors from 64 nations. This event underscored Kazakhstan's commitment to supporting women's boxing on the global stage.

The arena is set to make history on 5 April 2025, when Kazakhstan's own Janibek Alimkhanuly defends his unified IBF and WBO middleweight titles against Anauel Ngamissengue. This bout marks the first time a Kazakh unified world champion will defend his titles on home soil, highlighting Barys Arena's growing prominence as a premier boxing venue. ?

Astana, the capital city of Kazakhstan, has been instrumental in nurturing boxing talent. The town has produced notable boxers, including Janibek Alimkhanuly, who has risen to prominence in the middleweight division. Astana's commitment to sports infrastructure, exemplified by venues like Barys Arena, continues to bolster its reputation as a hub for international sporting events.