On September 22, the volleyball season kicked off in Novosibirsk. To mark this significant occasion, a new park was unveiled, featuring an outdoor court for this sport.
Not just hockey!
Novosibirsk residents love more than just hockey: the Siberian capital also boasts a large volleyball fan base. The Lokomotiv club is opening its 2025/26 season. The opening ceremony will be a memorable one for fans: a new beach volleyball park has opened near the Lokomotiv Arena sports complex.
"Our team performed brilliantly last season, bringing home an important trophy – the Russian Volleyball Cup – to Novosibirsk, and we're certainly looking forward to the new season. I'm delighted that the Lokomotiv Volleyball Club's activities go beyond just games. It also conducts extensive educational outreach, promoting physical fitness and sports. Furthermore, our athletes, along with concerned fans, cleaned up the lake next to Lokomotiv Arena. This event has since become a regular occurrence. This adds another beautifully landscaped area to the city's map, one that will become a magnet for Novosibirsk residents and visitors alike," Mayor Maxim Kudryavtsev remarked at the opening.
A modern court was built on the shore of Lake Verkhovoe. Two modern courts were laid out on the grounds adjacent to the sports complex. The first beach volleyball players have already tested the court's durability.
Not all surprises…
However, the surprises for volleyball fans didn't end there. Ahead of the new season, a ceremonial unveiling of commemorative plaques commemorating the achievements of the Novosibirsk club "Lokomotiv" took place. Plaques indicating the year and location of the victorious games were placed on the L-3242 monument locomotive, which stands at the entrance to Lokomotiv Arena and greets spectators.
Additionally, a new art piece—a sculpture of Lokos the moose—has been installed at the arena's main entrance for the upcoming season. Now, fans can take photos with their favorite team's mascot at any time of day or night.