About FC Kairat

FC Kairat is a professional football club based in Almaty, Kazakhstan, and one of the most historic and widely supported teams in the country. Founded in 1954 as Lokomotiv Alma-Ata, the club was renamed Urozhay in 1955 and adopted the name Kairat in 1956. It currently competes in the Kazakhstan Premier League and plays its home matches at the Central Stadium.

During the Soviet era, Kairat was the leading club from Kazakhstan and the only representative of the Kazakh SSR in the Soviet Top League, where it spent many seasons competing against top teams from across the USSR. Because of this role, the club earned the nickname “The Nation’s Team” and built a strong fan base across the country. It also achieved success in the Soviet First League, winning the title twice and maintaining a consistent presence in high-level competition.

In the post-independence period, Kairat has remained one of the most successful clubs in Kazakhstan, winning multiple league titles, national cups, and super cups. The team has developed a strong rivalry with FC Astana, with their matches often referred to as the “Two Capitals Derby.” In recent years, Kairat has also been a regular participant in European competitions, contributing to the growing international profile of Kazakh football.