The new year in Turkmenistan began under the influence of football. Interest in the world's most popular game has grown significantly, uniting both young people and the older generation, for whom football has long been part of their personal and cultural history. Memories of legendary matches and great players of the past are still alive, and new events only strengthen this connection between eras, according to the publication ‘Turkmenistan: Golden age’.

Fans were particularly excited by the news of the upcoming AFC Champions League Round of 16 match between ‘Arkadag’ and ‘Al-Nassr’ in Ashgabat. For the country, this is not just a sporting event, but a landmark international event that has become a symbol of a new stage in the development of football culture. Interest in the match was so high that its organisation required the implementation of modern digital solutions.

Specialists from the Information Services and Digital Technologies Department of the Ashgabat City Administration were involved in preparing for the game. Special software was developed to sell tickets and coordinate processes, taking fan service to a new level. From the very first days of sales, demand was record-breaking, once again confirming the scale of expectations surrounding the upcoming match.

For the first time, world-class footballers will play on Turkmen soil, making the match truly historic. The match is seen not only as a sporting contest, but also as an important step in strengthening the country's international image. It is symbolic that this path is linked to the ‘Arkadag’ football club, created in the ‘smart’ city of the same name as a continuation of the large-scale Olympic movement.

The club, which has received steady support and development, has managed to make a name for itself on the international stage in a short period of time. It is its successes that have given Turkmen fans the opportunity to witness the event that will take place on 11 February at the Olympic Stadium in Ashgabat and will undoubtedly go down in the history of domestic sport.