Following their historic promotion to the Russian Premier League, FC Rodina has confirmed its plans for hosting home matches in the top flight. The Moscow-based club will continue to utilize the Arena Khimki stadium, the same ground it called home during its successful First National League campaign.
Sporting Director Alexei Zinin provided clarity on the club's logistical arrangements. He stated that the current plan is to maintain the status quo, with no changes to the home venue. The team will continue to train and play its official matches on the artificial turf surface at the Khimki facility, mirroring the setup from the previous season.
This decision marks a significant moment for Rodina, a club that has never before competed in Russia's highest football division. The team secured its place in the Premier League by finishing at the top of the FNL standings, accumulating 65 points from 33 matches. They edged out FC Fakel, who finished with the same points total, on other tie-breaking criteria.
The club's previous attempt at promotion fell short in the 2022/2023 season. Rodina faced Pari Nizhny Novgorod in the promotion/relegation play-offs but was defeated with an aggregate score of 2-3, missing out on a place in the RPL.
The confirmation of Arena Khimki as the home ground provides stability for the club as it prepares for the immense challenge of competing in the Premier League. The familiar surroundings and surface will offer a degree of continuity for the players and coaching staff as they step up to face the nation's elite clubs.
Rodina's promotion is part of a broader reshuffle at the top of the FNL table. FC Ural sits in third place with 58 points, while FC Rotor occupies the fourth position with 52 points, highlighting the competitive nature of the league from which Rodina emerged victorious.
Based on reporting from Чемпионат.com.