After several significant delays, the Zenit Arena in the Russian city of St Petersburg has been completed – but cost almost US$500m more to build than original estimates.

The 68,000-capacity stadium has been built for the 2018 World Cup and will also stage matches for the 2017 Confederations Cup.

According to reports in Russia, vice-governor Igor Albin revealed the total cost of the construction as 43 billion rubles (£591.5m, US$738m, €695), more than double the original estimate of 6.7 billion rubles (£214.8m, US$268m, €252.4m).

Timing for completion of the project was altered three times in the process – in 2008, 2010 and 2013 – contributing to the surge in costs.

The stadium will be officially renamed as the St Petersburg Arena for the Confederations Cup, where it will host the opening game in 17 June between Russia and New Zealand.

On Saturday (11 February), 10,000 went to the stadium to test its readiness ahead of next year’s tournament.