KRK "Nagorny" is a cultural and entertainment complex in Sovetsky District of Nizhny Novgorod, located at the intersection of Gagarin Avenue and Beketov Street. It was built in 1965 and underwent renovations in 1974 and 2007. The arena's seating capacity is 5,500 spectators. The complex was formerly known as the "Nizhny Novgorod Sports Palace of Trade Unions" and the "Nagorny Sports Palace." The name "Nagorny" reflects the facility's location in the upper — elevated relative to the rest of the city — part of Nizhny Novgorod. The complex serves as the main multi-purpose sports venue of Sovetsky District and hosts competitions involving several of Nizhny Novgorod's professional teams.[1]

History and Renovation

The Sports Palace was built in 1965 and initially operated as a trade-union ice palace. During the Soviet era it served as the home arena of the hockey club Torpedo — until the renovation of the hockey stadium in Avtozavodsky District, which subsequently was named after Viktor Konopalenko.[1]

In 2007, a large-scale renovation was carried out, prompted by the return of Nizhny Novgorod's "Torpedo" to the Superleague: competition regulations required Superleague clubs, starting from the 2007–2008 season, to have arenas with a seating capacity of at least 5,500. The total area of the palace's grounds is 16,000 sq. metres, of which the ice arena occupies 1,800 sq. metres.[2] The renovation was carried out by Striot-Plus LLC, the Municipal Enterprise Institute for Urban Development "NizhegorodgrazhdanNIIproekt", Volgo-Vyatskaya Stroitelnaya Kompaniya LLC, and other organizations. The work was conducted in two stages: from April to September 2007, the requirements for hosting Superleague matches were met and engineering systems were installed; the second stage involved the construction of a four-storey extension at the end of the building, intended to house a multi-purpose sports and games hall, a conference hall, a sports museum, a library, a sports goods shop, a medical centre, a café, and a restaurant. On 9 September 2007, the Palace of Sports was opened following the completion of the first stage of renovation. Long-term plans also included the construction of an additional extension on the Gagarin Avenue side.[1]

Sports Activities

After the 2007 reconstruction, Nagorny became the home arena for several Nizhny Novgorod teams at once. Home matches are held here by the Torpedo ice hockey club (KHL; again from 2007), the Pari Nizhny Novgorod basketball club (VTB United League; from 2010), the SKIF women's ice hockey club (WHL; from 2006), and the Torpedo-Gorky ice hockey club. The Chayka ice hockey club also plays part of its home matches at the arena (from the 2009/2010 season). A figure skating school, short-track, and ice hockey sections operate permanently at the complex. In February 2014, the arena hosted the MHL Challenge Cup. In addition to sporting events, Nagorny functions as one of the largest concert venues in Nizhny Novgorod, hosting large-scale concerts and shows.[2][1]

In August 2026, Nagorny hosted a pre-season match between HC Torpedo and Moscow's Dynamo, originally scheduled for 14 August at the new Volga Arena at the Strelka cape: the game was moved to Nagorny due to the incomplete documentation process for the new ice palace.[1]

The full official name of the complex is the State Autonomous Institution of Nizhny Novgorod Region "Nagorny Sports Palace"; its registered address is 29 Gagarin Avenue. Ticket offices and a fan shop are located directly at the main entrance; a free luggage storage facility operates near the arena.[4] The complex is equipped with extensive accessibility infrastructure: a lift, ramp, toilet, and parking for people with disabilities, a staff call button, and facilities for visitors with hearing, visual, musculoskeletal, and mental impairments.[4][3]

From the 2026–2027 season, HC Torpedo relocated to the new arena, and Nagorny lost its status as the home venue of the KHL club.[4]

Sources

  1. yandex.ru — From the 2026–2027 season, HC Torpedo relocated to the new arena, and Nagorny lost its status as the home venue of the KHL club.
  1. Wikipedia (ru) — Nagorny (cultural and entertainment complex) (archive)
  2. redkassa.ru — KRK "Nagorny" (Nizhny Novgorod), directions and events at KRK "Nagorny" — The total area of the palace's grounds is 16,000 sq. meters, of which the ice arena occupies 1… (archive)
  3. nn.afishagoroda.ru — Sports Palace KRK "Nagorny" Nizhny Novgorod, schedule 2026–2027 concerts tickets, website "Afisha Goroda" NN — The full official name of the complex is State Autonomous…