The fourth game in the Gagarin Cup quarterfinal between Spartak Moscow and Magnitogorsk Metallurg was postponed following the Crocus incident. The decision was announced by the Red-White press service via their Telegram channel, explaining that the match would be rescheduled and that more league guidance would come with the new date. They also noted that information about refunds or tickets purchased for the March 23 game would be provided when available. (Source: Red-White Telegram channel press service)
Moscow city leadership, including Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, announced that public events would not proceed on March 23 and 24 in response to the tragedy at Crocus. The broader implication was a pause in public gatherings while authorities reviewed security and safety considerations for residents and visitors. (Source: City of Moscow announcements)
As of March 21, Spartak had won three straight games, continuing a four-game winning streak, while Metallurg trailed 2-1 in the series. The playoff atmosphere remained intense, with both teams adapting to the unforeseen schedule change and the need to balance competitive play with public safety. (Source: official team updates and league communications)
Historically, CSKA had claimed the Gagarin Cup title in the prior season, achieving a milestone on its 100th anniversary. The club lifted the cup after securing a decisive seventh win in the final against Ak Bars Kazan on April 29, 2023. With the current season underway, CSKA and Ak Bars found themselves eliminated in the first round of the playoffs, ending their championship hopes for the year. (Source: league records and team histories)
Earlier in the calendar, a separate match between Russia and Paraguay was cancelled, reflecting the region-wide disruption of the schedule amid the ongoing situation. The decision underscored the league and city authorities’ priority on safety and orderly event management. (Source: league briefings and public safety notices)