Obolon Arena Undergoing Major Upgrades
Due to significant reconstruction work at their home venue, Kyiv-based Obolon will be restricted to away fixtures in the Ukrainian Premier League (UPL) until October 2026. The stadium renovation involves removing the existing turf and installing modern engineering systems, including underground drainage, an automated sprinkler system, and electric heating. Obolon's first home match of the upcoming season is scheduled for October 10, when they host Kryvyi Rih's Kryvbas in the UPL's eighth round.
UPL Schedule and Key Updates
The UPL has already released its calendar for the 2026/27 season, with the opening round set to kick off on August 1. Standout fixtures in the first round include:
- Kryvbas vs. Karpaty
- Dynamo vs. Livyi Bereh
- Kudrivka vs. Shakhtar
Defending champions Shakhtar Donetsk will begin their title defense with an away game against Kudrivka, while city rivals Dynamo Kyiv face Livyi Bereh in a local derby. The classic Shakhtar-Dynamo clash is scheduled for two matchdays: November 7 and May 15.
Additionally, the UPL has recognized the top coaches from the 2008/09 season through 2025/26. Mircea Lucescu holds the record with seven awards. For the 2025/26 campaign, Arda Turan was named Best Coach, with previous winners including Serhiy Rebrov, Paulo Fonseca, and Viktor Skrypnyk.
In other developments, Kharkiv-based Metalist 1925 has rebranded as Kharkiv, while Dynamo Kyiv won the 2025/26 Ukrainian Cup by defeating Chernihiv in the final. Midfielder Buyalsky scored a brace, and winger Yarmolenko added a third goal. These changes highlight the ongoing dynamism in Ukrainian football amid various challenges.
The renovation of Obolon Arena underscores the club's ambition to enhance playing conditions and boost competitiveness.
Playing without a home base until the work is finished could test the team's ability to maintain fan support and adapt to a constant away schedule. Meanwhile, the new season's high-profile matchups and celebrated coaches reflect the stability and growth of Ukrainian football, which continues to draw interest from fans and experts alike.
As Obolon prepares for its first home match on October 10, fans are eagerly anticipating the return to a revitalized stadium. To stay updated on the full schedule of the upcoming season, including key derby dates such as the highly anticipated clashes between Shakhtar and Dynamo, check out the latest details in our coverage of the 2026/27 UPL season schedule.