Initially Madonna's concert was to take place at the Vorobyovy Gory hill overlooking the capital in front of Moscow State University also in the southwest of the capital. But authorities said the venue had to be changed for security reasons.
The decision to hold the concert in Luzhniki was made by NCA, an official partner to LIFE NATION, the promoter of the American pop diva's "Confessions on a Dance Floor" tour, and the Moscow authorities, NCA President Mikhail Shurygin said.
Moscow's police chief, Vladimir Pronin, had said earlier Monday that Tushino airfield in the northwest of the capital was the only possible venue for concerts with as many as over 200,000 ticket holders.
Pronin said 250,000 people were expected at the concert but Vorobyovy Gory and Luzhniki could only accommodate around 40,000 and 70,000 spectators respectively. About 100,000 tickets have been sold already, he said.
Considering Luzhniki's limited capacity, Madonna may have to perform there twice, he said.
