FMF Futsal Arena

FMF Futsal Arena

Arena de futsal a FMF
Arena futsal Ciorescu
Address	Alexandru cel Bun Strada, 2А Ciorescu Moldova
Coordinates	47.127142532234444°N 28.89254676476485°E / 47.127142532234444; 28.89254676476485,
Owner	Moldovan Football Federation
Capacity	1,300
Scoreboard	Yes
Construction
Built	February 2013
Opened	15 November 2014
Tenants
Moldova national futsal team (2014 - present)
Website
Official Website

The FMF Futsal Arena (Romanian: Arena de Futsal a FMF) is an indoor futsal stadium in Ciorescu, Chișinău, Moldova. The stadium was inaugurated in November 2022. The Moldovan Football Federation (FMF), with the collaboration of UEFA are the responsible parties of the project.

Construction

The construction project commenced in February 2013. In terms of financing, UEFA played a pivotal role by contributing a substantial portion of the construction costs, covering approximately 70% of the expenses, which amounted to roughly 4 million euros.^[1]

Opening

The FMF Futsal Arena celebrated its formal inauguration on 15 November 2014. The symbolic ribbon was cut by UEFA Vice-president Marios Lefkaritis, Prime Minister Iurie Leancă, President of the Moldovan Football Federation Pavel Cebanu, and Mayor of the Ciorescu commune Ion Scripnic. The ceremony was also attended by the president of Moldova Nicolae Timofti, former Presidents Mircea Snegur and Petru Lucinschi, members of parliament, and the presidents of various football federations.^[2]

The first match at the Futsal Arena FMF complex was played on 22 November in the Moldovan Futsal Supercup, between the teams JLC and Tarsus.^[3]

Facilities

The Futsal Arena FMF has a total area of 4,694.5 square meters and includes a multifunctional field measuring 47m x 26m, lighting installation, stands for spectators (1,302 seats), areas for journalists, photographers, and video operators, two electronic scoreboards, a sound system, four fully equipped locker rooms for teams (including two locker rooms for individuals with disabilities), two locker rooms for referees, rooms for the delegate and the referee observer, a video surveillance system, a medical point, catering services, a conference room, free Wi-Fi internet, and permanently monitored parking spaces.^[4]

Usage

The Arena hosts most of the local futsal competitions. In 2024, it served as the venue for group stage of the Futsal Champions League.^[5]

It is also hosts matches in Group 4 for the 2025 FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup qualification (UEFA).^[6]

Beyond futsal, the Arena accommodates events from other sports such as kickboxing and MMA, organized by the Fighting Entertainment Association. In 2016, it was the venue for the FIBA European Championship for Small Countries. Additionally, it has hosted competitions in taekwondo, K1, and more.^[7]

In 2022, after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Moldovan Football Federation utilized the "Futsal Arena FMF" complex in Ciorescu to set up a refugee center with 500 beds for displaced persons from Ukraine.^[8]

References

1. "În comuna Ciorescu se construiește un complex sportiv la standardele FIFA și UEFA" (in Romanian). 15 June 2014. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
2. "În apropiere de Chişinău a fost inaugurat complexul sportiv Futsal Arena FMF" (in Romanian). Noi.nd. 16 November 2014. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
3. "Partida, contând pentru Supercupa Moldovei la fotbal în sală s-a desfăşurat pe terenul complexului Futsal Arena FMF, proaspăt dat în exploatare în comuna Ciorescu din municipiul Chişinău. Deţinătoarea Cupei Moldovei la futsal echipa Tarsus a întâlnit formaţia campioană a ediţiei 2013-2014 a Campionatului Diviziei Naţionale la fotbal în sală" (in Romanian). Jurnal.md. 24 November 2014. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
4. "Complexul Sportiv "Futsal Arena FMF"". Ciorescu.md. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
5. "Futsal. Etapa preliminară a Ligii Campionilor în Moldova" (in Romanian). FMF. 20 August 2024. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
6. "Futsal feminin. Lotul Naționalei pentru turneul de calificare la Campionatul Mondial 2025" (in Romanian). FMF. 15 October 2024. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
7. ""Футзал Арене FMF" - 8 лет" (in Russian). 15 November 2022. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
8. "Un nou centru pentru REFUGIAȚII din Ucraina. FMF a pus la dispoziție Complexul Sportiv "Futsal Arena FMF" din comuna Ciorescu, unde au fost amenajate 500 de paturi" (in Romanian). Ziarul Național. 5 March 2022. Retrieved 20 December 2024.