Kazakhstan is not only famous for its longest border in the world but also has a great arena known as Baluan Sholak Sports Palace that captures the world’s attention. The sports palace is named after Kazakh composer, singer, poet, dombra player, dzhigit player, and wrestler Baluan Sholak. I have researched deep on many different places in Kazakhstan. But when I read about Baluan Sholak Sports Palace, I couldn’t stop thinking about it. I kept reading more and more about it and brought up some interesting insights about this place.

Here’s an article we can all enjoy.

History of Baluan Sholak Sports Palace

To begin with, the Baluan Sholak Sports Palace in Almaty, Kazakhstan, was designed by a team of architects led by Vladimir Katsev, and also including I. Slonov, O. Naumova, V. Tolmachev, and I. Tsitrin. The sports palace was built in 1967 at the direction of the Kazakh SSR’s State Committee for Physical Culture and Sports. 

When it was constructed, it had four stands for 6 thousand seats, as well as a machine room for preparing artificial ice, a methodological room, and a medical room. There is an extended first floor in the building. 

The main facade has a loggia with solid stained glass windows and blind fences.  Near the entrance doors is a long ramp in the middle section. Instead of a loggia, there is a gate in the middle of the courtyard facade. A smooth corner partition and a stained glass frieze are used on the first floors of the side facades.

Among the blank partitions between the doors are low, polychrome two-color reliefs of sports themes. On the main and courtyard facades, the tall blank wall has an arched gable and alternating triangular prisms that alternate vertically.

A flat-relief metal composition depicts runners with a torch on the shield’s upper left side, while the right side of the entrance loggia has a parapet inscription with the full name of the building. 

The courtyard facade has a ribbon aperture on the upper wall. There is a four-row grid of flat rectangular plates placed obliquely over the upper stained glass windows of the side facades.  In adjacent rows, they are offset from each other in pairs. A small loggia sits atop the western facade, with a blank fence. 

The Palace of Sports International hosted competitions of boxing, basketball, and karate for all-Union and republican teams. 

Major Events Hosted at  Baluan Sholak Sports Palace

The famous Baluan Sholak Sports Palace in Almaty, Kazakhstan has hosted a number of major events throughout its history, including:

• 1975 World Figure Skating Championships
• 1982 World Volleyball Championships
• 2004 Asian Judo Championship
• 2010 Asian Women’s Handball Championship
• 2011 Asian Winter Games
• 2011 World Judo Masters Championship
• 2012 Asian Women’s Cup Volleyball Championship
• 2013 AIBA World Boxing Championships
• 2013 Judo Grand Prix Almaty
• 2014 World Weightlifting Championship
• 2016 Judo Grand Prix Almaty
• 2017 Asian Women’s Volleyball Championship

Known for its large capacity, state-of-the-art facilities, and central location in Almaty, Baluan Sholak Sports Palace hosts major events. It is a symbol of the city’s pride and vitality, and it is a place where people from all over the world come together to celebrate sports and culture.

In addition to sports events, the Baluan Sholak Sports Palace in Almaty, Kazakhstan has also hosted a variety of other events, including:

• Concerts by famous musicians such as Sting, Madonna, and Elton John
• Cirque du Soleil shows
• Political rallies
• Business conferences
• Cultural festivals

The Baluan Sholak Sports Palace is a versatile venue that can be adapted to accommodate a wide range of events. It is a popular choice for event organizers because of its large capacity, its state-of-the-art facilities, and its central location in Almaty.

Here are some examples of non-sporting events that have been hosted at the Baluan Sholak Sports Palace in recent years:

•  2022 Kazakh National Congress
•  2023 Almaty International Film Festival
•  2023 Central Asian Fashion Week
•  2023 Astana Opera’s production of “Aida”

It is a place where people from all walks of life come together to celebrate a variety of events.

Which Sports Are Played At Baluan Sholak Sports Palace

The arena is used for a variety of sports, including:

• Basketball
• Boxing
• Handball
• Ice hockey
• Judo
• Volleyball

The Baluan Sholak Sports Palace has hosted a number of major sporting events, including the 1975 World Figure Skating Championships, the 1982 World Volleyball Championships, and the 2011 Asian Winter Games. The arena is also the home arena of the Aisulu Almaty women’s ice hockey team.

Detailed location

The Baluan Sholak Sports Palace is located in the center of Almaty, the former capital of Kazakhstan. The venue is situated at the corner of Baytursynov Street and Baitursynov Street, and it borders the Central Stadium and the Promenade shopping center. The Astana Hotel is located at the south end of the venue. The palace is easily accessible by public transport, with the Baikonur metro station located nearby. The location of the palace in the center of the city makes it a convenient and comfortable venue for visitors

📍Abay Ave 44 Abai Ave., corner Baitursynuly St., Almaty 050000, Kazakhstan

How To Get There

Here are some ways to get to the Baluan Sholak Sports Palace in Almaty, Kazakhstan:

• By car: Visitors can drive to the Baluan Sholak Sports Palace and park in the underground VIP parking lot.
• By public transport: The Baikonur metro station is close to the venue. They can also take a bus or a taxi to reach the venue.
• By taxi: It is possible to take a taxi from your location to the Baluan Sholak Sports Palace. Taxis are readily available throughout the city.

Overall, visitors to the Baluan Sholak Sports Palace have several transportation options, including car, public transport, and taxi.

Opening Hours

According to the official website of the Baluan Sholak Sports Palace, the opening hours are as follows:

Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Saturday – Sunday: Closed

The website also states that the opening hours may vary depending on events. It is always best to check the website or call the sports palace in advance to confirm the opening hours.

Facilities and Amenities

The Baluan Sholak Sports Palace in Almaty, Kazakhstan is a multi-purpose indoor arena with a capacity of 5,000 spectators. It is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and amenities, including:

• An ice hockey rink
• Basketball court
• Volleyball court
• Handball court
• Boxing ring
• Judo mat
• Gymnastics gym
• Weight room
• Sauna
• Whirlpool
• Massage room
• Medical Clinic
• Press Center
• Cafeteria
• Restaurant
• Parking lot

The Sports Palace is also equipped with a variety of amenities for spectators, including:

• Comfortable seating
• Good acoustics
• Clear sightlines
• Food and beverage concessions
• Restrooms
• Wheelchair-accessible seating

Sports, concerts, and cultural festivals are frequently held at the Baluan Sholak Sports Palace. 

Hotels Near the Sports Palace

Here are some hotels near the Baluan Sholak Sports Palace in Almaty, Kazakhstan:

• Astana International Hotel: Warm lodging featuring a polished restaurant & 2 bars, plus a gym, a sauna & meeting rooms. Price: USD 135.69  per night.
• Mildom City Hotel: Price: USD 172.98 per night.
• Holiday Inn Express Almaty, an IHG Hotel: Modern rooms, some featuring sofabeds, in a laid-back hotel offering a bar & a breakfast buffet. Price: USD 335.83 per night.
• Zyliha Hotel: Casual hotel with a cafe/bar & a lobby lounge, plus 24-hour room service & free breakfast. Price: USD 202.68 per night.
• Golden Palace Hotel: Casual hotel offering complimentary breakfast, plus a fitness center and a restaurant. Price: USD 239.99 per night.

I hope this helps with planning your trip to Almaty! 

Costs and Earnings

The Baluan Sholak Sports Palace in Almaty, Kazakhstan is a popular venue for a variety of events, including sporting events, concerts, and cultural festivals.

The costs of running the Baluan Sholak Sports Palace are significant. These costs include the costs of maintaining the facilities, staffing the palace, and hosting events. The palace also has to pay rent and other overhead costs.

The Baluan Sholak Sports Palace generates revenue from a variety of sources, including ticket sales, concessions sales, and rental fees. The palace also receives government subsidies.

The exact costs and earnings of the Baluan Sholak Sports Palace are not publicly available. However, estimates suggest that the palace generates more revenue than the cost of its operation. The palace is an important part of Almaty’s cultural and economic landscape.

Here is a more detailed breakdown of the costs and earnings of the Baluan Sholak Sports Palace:

Costs:

• Maintenance of facilities
• Staffing
• Hosting events
• Rent
• Other overhead costs

Earnings:

• Ticket sales
• Concessions sales
• Rental fees
• Government subsidies

Note that the Baluan Sholak Sports Palace’s costs and earnings vary based on several factors. These include the types of events hosted and the number of spectators attending.

Renovation

The most recent major renovation was completed in 2011 in preparation for the 2011 Asian Winter Games. This renovation included the following upgrades:

• Replacement of the ice hockey rink
• Installation of a new sound system
• Upgrade of the lighting system
• Installation of new scoreboards
• Renovation of the locker rooms and other support facilities
• Construction of a new multi-storey parking garage

In addition to the 2011 renovation, the Baluan Sholak Sports Palace has also undergone a number of smaller renovations in recent years. Additionally, multi-story parking will accommodate 850 cars.

These renovations have included:

• Painting and repairs to the exterior of the building
• Upgrade of the security system
• Installation of new fire safety equipment
• Renovation of the restrooms
• Upgrade of the concession stands

It is my hope that this article has satisfied your curiosity about Baluan Sholak Sports Palace, Kazakhstan. Be sure to stay tuned for more articles like this.

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