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Kairat Almaty

Kairat Almaty is a professional football club based in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Kairat Almaty is a professional football club based in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Founded in 1954, the club competes in the Kazakhstan Premier League and plays home matches at the Central Stadium. It is one of the most successful clubs in Kazakh football, with multiple league, cup, and super cup titles.

History

Kairat was founded in 1954 as Lokomotiv Alma-Ata, renamed Urozhay in 1955, and became Kairat in 1956. It has remained a prominent club in Kazakhstan football since the country's independence.

Stadium and identity

The team plays its home matches at Almaty Central Stadium, a venue with a listed capacity of 23,804. The club's colours are generally reported as yellow and black.

Honours

Sources differ on the exact totals, but Kairat is consistently described as one of Kazakhstan's most successful clubs. Reported honours include multiple Kazakhstan league titles, Kazakhstan Cups, and Super Cups.

Rivalries

Kairat's strongest rivalry is with FC Astana, with their meetings commonly called the Two Capitals Derby. The rivalry reflects the clubs' status as leading teams from Kazakhstan's largest cities.

Key facts

  • Kairat Almaty was founded in 1954 and is based in Almaty, Kazakhstan.
  • The club plays in the Kazakhstan Premier League and its home ground is Almaty Central Stadium.
  • Kairat has won multiple league titles, Kazakhstan Cups, and Super Cups, though exact totals vary by source.
  • The main rivalry is with FC Astana, known as the Two Capitals Derby.
  • The club is led by president Kairat Boranbayev and head coach Rafael Urazbakhtin.

Frequently asked questions

What is Kairat Almaty?
Kairat Almaty is a professional football club based in Almaty, Kazakhstan, that plays in the Kazakhstan Premier League.
When was Kairat Almaty founded?
The club was founded in 1954.
Where does Kairat Almaty play home matches?
The club plays at Almaty Central Stadium in Almaty.
Who is Kairat Almaty's president?
The president is Kairat Boranbayev.
Who coaches Kairat Almaty?
The head coach is Rafael Urazbakhtin.
What are Kairat Almaty's team colours?
The club's colours are yellow and black.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FC_Kairat
    Supports: Founded in 1954; based in Almaty; Kazakhstan Premier League; stadium; honours; rivalry; 2025 league standing.
  2. Wikipedia — https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/FK_Ka%C3%AFrat_Almaty
    Supports: Founded in 1954; colours; stadium capacity; president; head coach; location.
  3. Wikipedia — https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/F._C._Kairat_Almaty
    Supports: Founded in 1954; stadium; colours; honours totals reported by another source.
  4. Wikipedia — https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qairat_Futbol_Kluby
    Supports: Club identity; Almaty location; stadium; league; honours totals reported by another source.
  5. L'Équipe — https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/FootballFicheClub1656.html
    Supports: Founded in 1954; president; coach; honours; stadium capacity; address.
  6. Wikipedia — https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/FK_Qairat_Almaty
    Supports: Founded in 1954; president; coach; stadium; capacity; league; 2025 standing.
  7. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AFC_Kairat
    Supports: Distinguishes the futsal club from the football club, helping avoid confusion.