Ernst-Happel-Stadion

Coordinates: 48°12′25.8″N 16°25′13.9″E / 48.207167°N 16.420528°E / 48.207167; 16.420528
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Ernst Happel Stadion
Ernst-Happel-Stadion
Map
Former namesPraterstadion (1931–1992)
LocationMeiereistraße 7, Vienna, Austria
Coordinates48°12′25.8″N 16°25′13.9″E / 48.207167°N 16.420528°E / 48.207167; 16.420528
OwnerCity of Vienna
OperatorWiener Stadthalle Betriebs- und Veranstaltungsgesellschaft m.b.H.
TypeUEFA Category 4 Stadium
Capacity50,865[1] (end-stage)
68,500 (center-stage)
Record attendance90,726 (Austria-Spain, 30 October 1960)
Field size105 m × 68 m (344 ft × 223 ft)
SurfaceLawn
Construction
Broke ground1929
Built1929–1931
Opened11 July 1931
Renovated1986, 2008
Construction cost39.6 million euros (conversion 2005-2008)
ArchitectOtto Ernst Schweizer
Tenants
Austria national football team

Ernst-Happel-Stadion (Ernst-Happel-Stadion), known as Praterstadion until 1992, sometimes also called Wiener-Stadion, is a football stadium in Leopoldstadt, the 2nd district of Austria's capital Vienna. With 50,865 seats, it is the largest stadium in Austria. It was built between 1929 and 1931 for the second Workers' Olympiad to the design of German architect Otto Ernst Schweizer. The stadium was renamed in honour of Austrian footballer Ernst Happel following his death in 1992. The stadium hosted seven games in UEFA Euro 2008, including the final which saw Spain triumph over Germany.

The stadium is owned by the City of Vienna (Municipal Department 51 – Sports of the City of Vienna). It is managed by the Wiener Stadthalle Betriebs und Veranstaltungsgesellschaft m.b.H., a subsidiary of Wien Holding. It is a UEFA Category 4 stadium, and as such, it is the home of the Austria national football team. It also hosts the Viennese clubs' matches in UEFA competitions.

The stadium is served by Stadion station on the U2 metro line and 11A bus line.

History[edit]

1928–1945[edit]

The foundation stone was laid in November 1928 in honor of the 10-year celebration of the Republic of Austria. The stadium was constructed in 23 months, from 1929 to 1931. It was built according to a design by the Tübingen architect Otto Ernst Schweizer and the second Workers' Olympiad. Schweizer also designed the adjacent Stadionbad (with 400,000 sq m, Europe's largest swimming pool). According to its location in Vienna's Prater, it was initially named Prater Stadium. It was a modern stadium at the time, particularly in Europe, because of its short discharge time of only 7 to 8 minutes. Initially the stadium had a capacity of approximately 60,000 people.

During the National Socialist Era following Anschluss (1938–1945), the stadium was used as a military barracks and staging area and as a temporary prison for the deportation of Jewish citizens.[2] Between 11 and 13 September 1939, after the attack on Poland, over a thousand Polish-born Viennese Jews were detained on the orders of Reinhard Heydrich. They were imprisoned beneath the grandstands in the corridors of Section B. On 30 September, 1,038 prisoners were deported to the Buchenwald concentration camp. The next day, the stadium was back to being used as a football pitch. 44 men were released in early 1940, 26 were freed in 1945, the rest were murdered in the camps. In 1988, one of the surviving victims, Fritz Klein, was awarded compensation by the Austrian government equivalent to 62,50 euros for being detained in the stadium. In 2003 a memorial plaque, commemorating these events, was unveiled in the VIP area by a private initiative. In 1944, the stadium was severely damaged during a bomb attack on the Wehrmarcht Staff offices.

1945–2000[edit]

After the war and the reconstruction of the stadium, it was again sporting its original use. In 1956, the stadium's capacity was expanded to 92,708 people by Theodor Schull, but in 1965 the capacity was reduced. The attendance record was 90,726[3] spectators set on 30 October 1960 at the football match between Spain and Austria (0–3).

In the mid-1980s, the stands were covered and fully equipped with seats. At its reopening a friendly match against archrival Germany was organised. Austria won the match 4–1. After the death of former Austrian top player and coach Ernst Happel (1925–1992), the Prater Stadium was renamed after him in 1992. In 1964, 1987, 1990, and 1995, the Ernst Happel Stadium was the venue of the European Cup/UEFA Champions League final.

In 1970, the stadium was the venue of the 1970 European Cup Winners' Cup Final which saw Manchester City F.C. beat Górnik Zabrze 2–1. Neil Young and a Francis Lee penalty sealed the win for City. This final was played under torrential rain in what was then an uncovered stadium. This along with the fact no Polish supporters were allowed to travel to the match restricted the attendance, which is variously reported at between 7,900 and 15,000 spectators.

UEFA Euro 2008[edit]

During the UEFA Euro 2008 tournament, the Ernst Happel-Stadion hosted seven games (three group matches involving Austria, two quarter-finals, a semifinal match, and the Final match). In preparation for the tournament, the first and second place additional rows of seats increased the stadium's capacity to 53,000 seats.

Leading up to the tournament, it was fitted with a heated pitch in the summer of 2005. In May 2008, a connection to the Vienna U-Bahn was established, easing access from all over the city. The cost of the rebuilding was 39,600,000.

Stadium opening match in the Euro 2008 between Austria and Croatia

The following games were played at the stadium during the UEFA Euro 2008:

Date Time (CET) Team #1 Result Team #2 Round Spectators
8 June 2008 18.00  Austria 0–1  Croatia Group B 51,428
12 June 2008 20.45 1–1  Poland 51,428
16 June 2008 20.45 0–1  Germany 51,428
20 June 2008 20.45  Croatia 1–1 (a.e.t.)
(1–3 pen.)
 Turkey Quarter-finals 51,428
22 June 2008 20.45  Spain 0–0 (a.e.t.)
(4–2 pen.)
 Italy 48,000
26 June 2008 20.45  Russia 0–3  Spain Semi-final 51,428
29 June 2008 20.45  Germany 0–1  Spain Final 51,428

Football[edit]

The Ernst Happel Stadium is the largest football stadium in Austria. It is the home of the Austria national football team. Club football matches are generally limited to the domestic cup final and international competitions featuring one of Vienna's top clubs, FK Austria Wien and SK Rapid Wien, as their regular stadiums are too small to host UEFA Champions League and UEFA Cup matches. Vienna derby matches between FK Austria and SK Rapid have also been played in the stadium.

The stadium is rated one of UEFA's Five Star Stadiums permitting it to host the UEFA Champions League final. The seating capacity was temporarily expanded to 53,008[4] for the UEFA Euro 2008 championship, with the final played in the stadium. The stadium also hosted 3 group games, 2 quarter-final matches, a semi-final and final. The attendance record of 92,706 for the match against the Soviet Union was in 1960.[5] The capacity has since been reduced.

Notable matches held in the stadium[edit]

Other sports[edit]

Other sporting events are held in the stadium, including athletics, cycling and tennis. In 1950, 35,000[6] watched Austrian Josef Weidinger win the European Heavyweight crown against Stefan Olek (of France), and a temporary pool in the stadium was the venue for the 1995 European LC Championships.

During the 1950 and 1960s, motorcycle speedway took place at the stadium until the track was demolished.[7] Major events included the final of the 1963 Speedway World Team Cup.[8]

On 16 July 2011, the American Football World Championship final took place where USA defeated rivals Canada with a score of 50–7 in front of 20,000 spectators.

On 6 and 7 June 2014, the three games of the final stage of the 13th European Championship of American Football took place in this stadium. In the final 27,000 spectators saw Austria lose to Germany 30–27 in double overtime.[9]

Concerts[edit]

List of concerts at Ernst-Happel-Stadion, showing date, artist, tour and attendance
Date Artist Tour Attendance
8 July 1980 Santana
3 July 1982 The Rolling Stones European Tour 1982
14 June 1983 Supertramp Famous Last Tour
16 June 1987 Genesis Invisible Touch Tour
1 July 1987 David Bowie Glass Spider Tour
2 June 1988 Michael Jackson Bad World Tour
1 July 1988 Pink Floyd A Momentary Lapse of Reason Tour
9 September 1988 Van Halen OU812 Tour
16 September 1989 The Beach Boys
14 June 1990 Tina Turner Foreign Affair: The Farewell Tour
31 July 1990 The Rolling Stones Urban Jungle Tour
8 September 1990 Tina Turner Foreign Affair: The Farewell Tour
24 May 1991 Herbert Groenemeyer Luxus-Tour
18 July 1991 Simple Minds Real Life Tour
13 June 1992 Elton John The One Tour
3 July 1992 Dire Straits On Every Street Tour
16 July 1992 Genesis We Can't Dance Tour
25 July 1992 Bryan Adams Waking Up the World Tour
26 August 1992 Michael Jackson Dangerous World Tour
29 May 1993 Lenny Kravitz, Def Leppard, Robert Plant Rock in Wien 1993
30 May 1993 INXS, Faith No More, Leonhard Cohen Rock in Wien 1993
2 June 1993 Guns N' Roses Use Your Illusion Tour
3 September 1993 Bon Jovi I'll Sleep When I'm Dead Tour
5 July 1995 R.E.M. Monster Tour
22 June 1996 The Kelly Family
3 July 1996 Tina Turner Wildest Dreams Tour
10 July 1996 Tina Turner Wildest Dreams Tour
13 July 1996 Luciano Pavarotti
2 July 1997 Michael Jackson HIStory World Tour
16 June 1998 Elton John & Billy Joel Face to Face 1998
1 July 1998 Eros Ramazzotti
1 August 2000 Tina Turner Twenty Four Seven Tour
29 June 2001 Bon Jovi One Wild Night Tour
24 May 2003 Herbert Groenemeyer Mensch Open Air-Tour 2003
28 May 2003 Bon Jovi Bounce Tour
18 June 2003 The Rolling Stones Licks World Tour
28 June 2003 Bruce Springsteen The Rising Tour
4 July 2003 Robbie Williams 2003 Tour
13 June 2003 Elton John
2 July 2005 U2 Vertigo Tour 55,645
14 July 2006 The Rolling Stones A Bigger Bang
18 August 2006 Robbie Williams Close Encounters Tour
19 August 2006
27 May 2007 Herbert Groenemeyer 12
24 May 2009 AC/DC Black Ice World Tour
5 July 2009 Bruce Springsteen Working on a Dream Tour 37,798
30 August 2010 U2 U2 360° Tour 69,253
18 June 2011 Herbert Groenemeyer Schiffsverkehr
22 July 2011 Bon Jovi Bon Jovi Live 56,280
11 July 2012 Bruce Springsteen Wrecking Ball World Tour 50,293
29 July 2012 Madonna The MDNA Tour 33,250
27 June 2013 Paul McCartney Out There Tour
23 August 2013 Roger Waters The Wall Live 36,385
16 June 2014 The Rolling Stones 14 On Fire 57,700
10 June 2015 One Direction On the Road Again Tour 43,788
30 June 2015 Helene Fischer Farbenspiel Live
1 July 2015
19 May 2016 AC/DC Rock or Bust World Tour 50,364
11 June 2017 Coldplay A Head Full of Dreams Tour 56,246[10]
10 July 2017 Guns N' Roses Not in This Lifetime... Tour 54,847
11 July 2018 Helene Fischer Helene Fischer Live 2017/2018
26 August 2017 Robbie Williams The Heavy Entertainment Show Tour
7-8 August 2018 Ed Sheeran ÷ Tour
2 June 2019 Phil Collins Still Not Dead Yet Live Tour
17 July 2019 Bon Jovi This House Is Not For Sale Tour
24 July 2019 P!nk Beautiful Trauma World Tour 55,873[11]
16 August 2019 Metallica WorldWired Tour 54,176[12]
22-23 August 2019 Rammstein Europe Stadium Tour 2019
31 August 2019 Andreas Gabalier 10 Jahre Volks Rock'n Roll 2019
19 June 2022 Green Day, Fall Out Boy, Weezer Hella Mega Tour
13 July 2022 Guns N' Roses Guns N' Roses 2020 Tour
15 July 2022 The Rolling Stones Sixty 57,141
1 September 2022 Ed Sheeran +–=÷× Tour 124,800
2 September 2022
1 July 2023 P!nk Pink Summer Carnival
2 July 2023
8 July 2023 Harry Styles Love On Tour
14 July 2023 Red Hot Chili Peppers Global Stadium Tour
18 July 2023 Bruce Springsteen 2023 Tour
26 July 2023 Rammstein Rammstein Stadium Tour
27 July 2023
23 June 2024 AC/DC Power Up Tour
26 June 2024
8 August 2024 Taylor Swift The Eras Tour
9 August 2024
10 August 2024
21 August 2024 Coldplay Music of the Spheres World Tour
22 August 2024
24 August 2024
25 August 2024

References[edit]

  1. ^ https://www.uefa.com/MultimediaFiles/Download/FirstDiv/uefaorg/Publications/01/67/03/93/1670393_DOWNLOAD.pdf[bare URL PDF]
  2. ^ "Happel Stadium hides a sinister past". Archived from the original on 29 June 2008.
  3. ^ "Austria - Spain, Friendly match, 30 October 1960".
  4. ^ "Vienna City Government website". Archived from the original on 16 June 2008. Retrieved 29 June 2007.
  5. ^ "Vienna City Government website". Archived from the original on 29 September 2007. Retrieved 29 June 2007.
  6. ^ "Vienna City Government website". Archived from the original on 29 September 2007. Retrieved 29 June 2007.
  7. ^ "Attendance record against the USSR". Wiener Sportstaetten. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
  8. ^ Oakes, Peter (1981). 1981 Speedway Yearbook. Studio Publications (Ipswich) Ltd. ISBN 0-86215-017-5.
  9. ^ "American Football EM Finale 2014 - Bittersweet Glory". 22 June 2014.
  10. ^ "Billboard Boxscore :: Current Scores". Billboard. Archived from the original on 25 July 2017. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
  11. ^ "57,000 visitors celebrate Pink in Vienna at "DiePresse.com". vaaju. Retrieved 25 July 2019.
  12. ^ "Khalid Flies to New Heights With $30 Million On Free Spirit World Tour". Billboard. 20 September 2019. Retrieved 20 September 2019.
Events and tenants
Preceded by European Cup
Final venue

1964
Succeeded by
Preceded by European Cup Winners' Cup
Final venue

1970
Succeeded by
Preceded by European Cup
Final venue

1987
Succeeded by
Preceded by European Cup
Final venue

1990
Succeeded by
Preceded by UEFA Champions League
Final venue

1995
Succeeded by
Preceded by UEFA European Championship
Final venue

2008
Succeeded by
Preceded by IFAF World Championship
Final venue

2011
Succeeded by