The Luzhniki MCC Station is on the Moscow Central Circle, the rail ring that opened to passengers on 10 September 2016, and it is named after the nearby Luzhniki Olympic Complex. It is a functional stop with two side platforms rather than a decorated Metro hall, and it matters mainly as a transfer and access point.
The station links to Sportivnaya on the Sokolnicheskaya Line, Line 1, by an out-of-station transfer of about 200 meters across Khamovnichesky Val. This guide explains how the stations connect, what the Moscow Central Circle is, how fares and payment work for tourists, when the stop is busy around events at Luzhniki, and which sights lie within walking distance of the platforms.
Quick Facts
| Russian name | Лужники (МЦК) |
|---|---|
| Built / opened | 2016 |
| Address | Luzhniki, Khamovnichesky Val area, Moscow OpenStreetMap · Google Maps |
| District | Khamovniki |
| Interchanges | Luzhniki (Line 14, Moscow Central Circle, the station itself, with two side platforms) Sportivnaya (Line 1, red, an out-of-station transfer of about 200 meters across Khamovnichesky Val, a walk of about 3 to 5 minutes (estimate)) |
| Opening hours | The Moscow Central Circle runs daily from early morning until about 01:00, with exact first and last train times differing by station, so check the operator's site for this station (as of October 2026 – check the official site, mosmetro.ru). |
| Best time to visit | Mid-morning and early afternoon are the calmest, while weekday rush hours and event days at Luzhniki are busy. The station is above ground, so winter wind can be strong on the platforms. |
| Last updated | October 9, 2026 |
Why Visit Luzhniki MCC Station?
The stop is the practical gateway to the Luzhniki Olympic Complex, the large sports complex on a bend of the Moscow River, and a convenient point on the circle for crossing the city without going through the center. The Moscow Central Circle was rebuilt from the Little Ring of the Moscow Railway and is operated through the Moscow Metro.
Sportivnaya, on the other side of Khamovnichesky Val, opened in 1957 under the former name Luzhniki and works as the Metro link for the same area. Visitors use the pair to reach Luzhniki, Novodevichy Convent and the Moscow River embankments. It is not an architectural showpiece, but it is useful.
How Luzhniki MCC Station Is Laid Out
The station has two side platforms on the Moscow Central Circle, with Ploshchad Gagarina as the previous station on the anticlockwise side and Kutuzovskaya on the clockwise side. It stands near the Luzhniki Olympic Complex in the Khamovniki district.
The transfer to Sportivnaya on the Sokolnicheskaya Line is out of station, meaning you leave one station and walk to the other across Khamovnichesky Val, about 200 meters away. The upper floors of the three-story Sportivnaya vestibule are said to house a Metro museum, which should be checked. Follow the signs for the transfer, and check a map for the exits toward the complex.
Highlights of Luzhniki MCC Station
The Moscow Central Circle
The circle was rebuilt from the Little Ring of the Moscow Railway, opened to passengers on 10 September 2016 and operated through the Moscow Metro with Russian Railways as the operating subcontractor. It is not perfectly circular. Look at the route map at the platform. Check the direction of travel before boarding.
Tip: Check whether your train runs clockwise or anticlockwise before you board.
The transfer to Sportivnaya
An out-of-station transfer leads to Sportivnaya on Line 1, about 200 meters away across Khamovnichesky Val, which opened in 1957 and was formerly called Luzhniki. Look for the signs to the transfer. Check how long the walk takes in bad weather.
Tip: Allow a few minutes for the walk between the stations.
The Luzhniki Olympic Complex
The station is named after the Luzhniki Olympic Complex, the large sports complex nearby, and is a main access point for events there. Look at the complex from the approach. Check the event calendar, since crowds change with events.
Tip: Check the event schedule before you plan the trip.
The two side platforms
The station is a simple stop with two side platforms, one for each direction of the circle. Look at the platform signs. Check which platform you need.
Tip: Read the platform direction signs carefully.
The Sportivnaya vestibule museum
The upper two floors of the Sportivnaya vestibule are said to house the Moscow Metro Museum, which shows memorabilia of the Metro's history. Check whether it is open and its hours, since they were not verified.
Tip: Check the museum's days before you go.
A link to the river
The station is close to the Moscow River and the Luzhniki embankment. See the Luzhniki River Pier guide for boat trips in season. Check the walking route on a map.
Tip: Combine the station with a river trip in season.
Atmosphere
The platforms are open and functional, with trains arriving at the side platforms and wind coming off the open ground by the complex. The sounds are announcements, trains and the footsteps of commuters.
On ordinary days the stop is used by local residents and visitors to the sports complex, and it is quiet outside the rush hours. On event days at Luzhniki the platforms fill with crowds. Evenings are calm unless an event is ending.
History of Luzhniki MCC Station
The Moscow Central Circle was rebuilt from the Little Ring of the Moscow Railway and opened to passengers on 10 September 2016, with Luzhniki as one of its stations, named after the Luzhniki Olympic Complex. It is operated through the Moscow Metro, with Russian Railways as the operating subcontractor.
The station has two side platforms and an out-of-station transfer to Sportivnaya on the Sokolnicheskaya Line, which is about 200 meters away. Sportivnaya opened on 1 May 1957 under the name Luzhniki, and it houses a Metro museum in the upper floors of its vestibule, according to one source.
Dates and details should be checked against the Metro operator’s official sources, and this history is shorter than requested because few facts could be verified; no architect for the station was verified.
Tickets and Booking for Luzhniki MCC Station
Fares. The fare is the same for any length of ride and any number of transfers within the central zone, and sources give the price of one trip at a budget price level (₽) depending on the payment method, with a prepaid Troika card cheaper than a single ticket; because prices change, check the current tariff on the operator’s site mosmetro.ru. Troika cards and tickets can be bought at ticket offices and ticket machines in Metro vestibules, and one guide notes that the machines may take only cash.
Payment. Contactless bank cards and smartphone payment are accepted at turnstiles, but some foreign cards may not work, and your country’s sanctions rules may restrict some payment services, so check this yourself; a Troika card topped up with rubles is the most reliable option. Rush hours are the weekday mornings and evenings, and the platforms fill before and after events at Luzhniki.
Plan and Book
How to Get to Luzhniki MCC Station
Take the Moscow Central Circle (Line 14) to Luzhniki, between Ploshchad Gagarina and Kutuzovskaya, or ride the red Line 1 to Sportivnaya and cross Khamovnichesky Val for about 200 meters (an estimate of 3 to 5 minutes).
- By taxi: ask for Luzhniki Olympic Complex, the main entrance.
- On foot: the complex is a short walk from the station.
- Orientation: follow the signs for the transfer or the complex.
Accessibility
The station has an out-of-station transfer on foot, and accessibility facilities such as lifts and ramps were not verified, so check mosmetro.ru or ask staff before you travel.
Food Nearby
The Luzhniki complex and the streets near Sportivnaya have cafes and kiosks; the exact venues were not verified. See the Moscow Food Tour: Russian Cuisine and Local Specialties itinerary.
What to Bring
Bring a warm layer in cold months for the open platforms, a charged phone with a map, and cash in rubles for a ticket or a Troika card.
Best Views and Photo Spots of Luzhniki MCC Station
The platform with the circle train
A modern MCC train at the side platform.
Best time: Mid-morning.
The approach to the Luzhniki complex
The large complex seen from the station approach.
Best time: Late afternoon.
Khamovnichesky Val crossing
The road between the two stations.
Best time: Off-peak hours.
The Moscow River embankment nearby
The river bend near the complex.
Best time: Sunset.
Photography Rules
Photography in the Metro and on MCC platforms is generally allowed for personal use without flash, but tripods and professional filming may need permission; do not block passengers or take photographs of staff.
Family Suitability
Suitable for families as a transfer point or on the way to Luzhniki, but the platforms are exposed in cold weather and the transfer is on foot; keep strollers away from the platform edge. Lifts were not verified.
Moscow Vibes Tips
- Check the event calendar at Luzhniki, since the platforms fill before and after events.
- Remember that the transfer to Sportivnaya is a walk outside, so dress for the weather.
- Use the circle to cross the city without going through the center.
- Combine the stop with Novodevichy Convent, which is a short ride or walk away.
- Check the direction of the circle train before boarding.
- Look at the Luzhniki River Pier guide for boat trips in season.
Explore Nearby Luzhniki MCC Station
Sights near Luzhniki MCC Station
Novodevichy Pond Moscowabout 800 m away (~13 min walk) · typical visit: 45–90 minutesMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Novodevichy Cemetery Moscowabout 450 m away (~7 min walk) · typical visit: About 1.5 to 2 hoursMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Novodevichy Convent Moscow – about 600 m away (~10 min walk) · typical visit: 1.5–2 hours for the convent; 3–4 hours with the cemeteryMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Moscow Cable Carabout 1.3 km away (~21 min walk) · typical visit: 45–90 minutesMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Metro stations near Luzhniki MCC Station
Sportivnaya Metro Stationabout 350 m away (~5 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Vorobyovy Gory Metro Stationabout 1.2 km away (~19 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Train stations and river piers near Luzhniki MCC Station
Luzhniki River Pierabout 1.1 km away (~18 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Hotels near Luzhniki MCC Station
Spektr Hotel Moscowabout 150 m away (~3 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Events and traditions near Luzhniki MCC Station
Moscow Marathonabout 700 m away (~11 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Related guides
Khamovniki and Novodevichy Convent Walking Itinerary: Route and RulesMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Sparrow Hills and Moscow State University Walking Itinerary: RouteMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Khamovniki: Novodevichy Convent, Prechistenka and the Golden MileMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Novodevichy: Convent, Cemetery and UNESCO Walk in KhamovnikiMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Krymskaya MCC Station: Circle Stop with Troitskaya Line TransferMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Browse more: More in Khamovniki · All Metro Stations · All Other Hubs
FAQ: Luzhniki MCC Station
When did the station open?
On 10 September 2016 with the Moscow Central Circle.
Is it a Metro station?
It is on the Moscow Central Circle, operated through the Moscow Metro.
Can I transfer to the red line?
Yes, to Sportivnaya, about 200 meters away across Khamovnichesky Val.
What is it named after?
The Luzhniki Olympic Complex nearby.
Is it decorated like the old stations?
No; it is a simple modern stop.
Which stations are next to it?
Ploshchad Gagarina and Kutuzovskaya on the circle.
Is it busy?
Mostly on event days and at rush hours.
Can I pay with a foreign card?
Some foreign cards may not work, so carry cash in rubles; see the fares section for sanctions rules.
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Last updated: October 9, 2026. Found an error or something out of date? Report it and we will check and fix it.
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