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Ernst Happel Stadium

Vienna's Colossus of Sport: A deep dive into Austria's largest stadium, its storied past, and its role in major international events.

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Stadium Overview

Venue Details

The Ernst Happel Stadium, originally named Praterstadion until 1992, is a prominent association football stadium located in Leopoldstadt, Vienna, Austria. It stands as Austria's largest stadium, boasting a seating capacity of 50,865 for end-stage events and expandable to 68,500 for center-stage configurations. It is officially recognized as a UEFA Category 4 stadium, the highest designation.

Construction & Design

Constructed between 1929 and 1931, the stadium was designed by German architect Otto Ernst Schweizer. Its initial purpose was to host the second Workers' Olympiad. The design was considered modern for its time, featuring efficient crowd discharge capabilities. The stadium's location within Vienna's Prater amusement park lends it a unique setting.

UEFA Elite Status

As a UEFA Category 4 stadium, the Ernst Happel Stadium is equipped to host the most prestigious international football finals, including the UEFA Champions League final. Its comprehensive facilities and capacity meet the stringent requirements set forth by European football's governing body.

Historical Significance

Foundation and Early Years

The foundation stone was laid in November 1928, commemorating Austria's decade as a republic. Completed in 1931, the stadium initially served the Workers' Olympiad. Its original name, Praterstadion, reflected its location. The stadium's capacity was approximately 60,000 upon completion.

Wartime Use and Damage

During the Nazi era following the Anschluss in 1938, the stadium was repurposed. It served as military barracks and a temporary detention site for Jewish citizens before their deportation to concentration camps. The stadium sustained significant damage from bombing raids in 1944.

Between September 11-13, 1939, over a thousand Polish-born Viennese Jews were detained beneath the grandstands. Subsequently, 1,038 prisoners were deported to Buchenwald concentration camp. A memorial plaque commemorating these events was later unveiled.

Post-War Reconstruction and Renaming

Following World War II, the stadium underwent reconstruction and resumed its sporting functions. Its capacity was expanded in 1956, reaching a peak attendance record of 90,726 spectators in 1960 for a match between Austria and Spain. The stands were covered and equipped with seats in the 1980s. In 1992, the stadium was officially renamed Ernst Happel Stadium in honor of the renowned Austrian footballer and coach.

Football Hub

National Team Home

The Ernst Happel Stadium serves as the primary home ground for the Austria national football team. It frequently hosts crucial international matches, including qualifiers and friendly games.

European Finals Venue

The stadium has a distinguished history of hosting major European club finals. It has been the venue for the European Cup/UEFA Champions League final on multiple occasions, including 1964, 1987, 1990, and 1995. It also hosted the 1970 European Cup Winners' Cup Final and the 1994 UEFA Cup Final.

Club Competitions

While smaller than the Ernst Happel Stadium, Vienna's major clubs, FK Austria Wien and SK Rapid Wien, utilize it for their UEFA competition matches when their regular stadiums are insufficient. The stadium also occasionally hosts the Vienna derby, the city's most significant club football fixture.

UEFA Euro 2008 Showcase

Tournament Host

The Ernst Happel Stadium played a pivotal role in UEFA Euro 2008, co-hosted by Austria and Switzerland. It hosted seven matches during the tournament, including three group stage games involving the Austrian team, two quarter-final ties, a semi-final, and the prestigious final match.

Match Schedule

The stadium's capacity was temporarily increased to accommodate the tournament. It witnessed significant matches, culminating in Spain's victory over Germany in the final. The schedule included notable fixtures such as Austria vs. Croatia, Austria vs. Poland, and Germany vs. Austria.

The stadium hosted the following key matches during UEFA Euro 2008:

DateTime (CET)Team 1ResultTeam 2RoundSpectators
8 June 200818:00Austria0โ€“1CroatiaGroup B51,428
12 June 200820:45Austria1โ€“1PolandGroup B51,428
16 June 200820:45Austria0โ€“1GermanyGroup B51,428
20 June 200820:45Croatia1โ€“1 (1โ€“3 pen)TurkeyQuarter-finals51,428
22 June 200820:45Spain0โ€“0 (4โ€“2 pen)ItalyQuarter-finals48,000
26 June 200820:45Russia0โ€“3SpainSemi-final51,428
29 June 200820:45Germany0โ€“1SpainFinal51,428

Beyond Football

Athletics and More

The stadium's versatile design has accommodated various sporting events beyond football. It has hosted athletics competitions, cycling events, and tennis matches. Notably, it featured a temporary swimming pool for the 1995 European Aquatics Championships.

American Football

The Ernst Happel Stadium has also been a venue for American football, hosting the final of the IFAF World Championship in 2011 and the final stage of the European Championship of American Football in 2014, demonstrating its adaptability for diverse sporting spectacles.

Speedway History

During the 1950s and 1960s, the stadium was a site for motorcycle speedway events, including the final of the 1963 Speedway World Team Cup, before the track was eventually demolished.

Concert Destination

A Stage for Legends

The Ernst Happel Stadium has a rich history as a venue for major concerts, hosting performances by globally acclaimed artists. From rock legends like The Rolling Stones and Pink Floyd to pop icons like Michael Jackson and Taylor Swift, the stadium has provided a grand stage for musical events.

Notable Performances

The stadium has seen legendary tours such as Michael Jackson's Bad and Dangerous World Tours, U2's 360ยฐ Tour, and numerous performances by artists like Bruce Springsteen, AC/DC, and Coldplay. The extensive list of concerts highlights the stadium's significance in the international music scene.

A selection of notable concerts held at the Ernst Happel Stadium:

DateArtistTourAttendance
8 July 1980Santanaโ€”โ€”
3 July 1982The Rolling StonesEuropean Tour 1982โ€”
14 June 1983SupertrampFamous Last Tourโ€”
16 June 1987GenesisInvisible Touch Tourโ€”
1 July 1987David BowieGlass Spider Tourโ€”
2 June 1988Michael JacksonBad World Tourโ€”
1 July 1988Pink FloydA Momentary Lapse of Reason Tourโ€”
9 September 1988Van HalenOU812 Tourโ€”
16 September 1989The Beach Boysโ€”โ€”
14 June 1990Tina TurnerForeign Affair: The Farewell Tourโ€”
1 July 1990The Rolling StonesUrban Jungle Tourโ€”
8 September 1990Tina TurnerForeign Affair: The Farewell Tourโ€”
24 May 1991Herbert GroenemeyerLuxus-Tourโ€”
18 July 1991Simple MindsReal Life Tourโ€”
13 June 1992Elton JohnThe One Tourโ€”
3 July 1992Dire StraitsOn Every Street Tourโ€”
16 July 1992GenesisWe Can't Dance Tourโ€”
25 July 1992Bryan AdamsWaking Up the World Tourโ€”
26 August 1992Michael JacksonDangerous World Tourโ€”
29 May 1993Lenny Kravitz, Def Leppard, Robert PlantRock in Wien 1993โ€”
30 May 1993INXS, Faith No More, Leonhard CohenRock in Wien 1993โ€”
2 June 1993Guns N' RosesUse Your Illusion Tourโ€”
3 September 1993Bon JoviI'll Sleep When I'm Dead Tourโ€”
5 July 1995R.E.M.Monster Tourโ€”
22 June 1996The Kelly Familyโ€”โ€”
3 July 1996Tina TurnerWildest Dreams Tourโ€”
10 July 1996Tina TurnerWildest Dreams Tourโ€”
13 July 1996Luciano Pavarottiโ€”โ€”
2 July 1997Michael JacksonHIStory World Tourโ€”
16 June 1998Elton John & Billy JoelFace to Face 1998โ€”
1 July 1998Eros Ramazzottiโ€”โ€”
1 August 2000Tina TurnerTwenty Four Seven Tourโ€”
29 June 2001Bon JoviOne Wild Night Tourโ€”
24 May 2003Herbert GroenemeyerMensch Open Air-Tour 2003โ€”
28 May 2003Bon JoviBounce Tourโ€”
18 June 2003The Rolling StonesLicks World Tourโ€”
28 June 2003Bruce SpringsteenThe Rising Tourโ€”
4 July 2003Robbie Williams2003 Tourโ€”
13 June 2003Elton Johnโ€”โ€”
2 July 2005U2Vertigo Tour55,645
14 July 2006The Rolling StonesA Bigger Bangโ€”
18 August 2006Robbie WilliamsClose Encounters Tourโ€”
19 August 2006Robbie WilliamsClose Encounters Tourโ€”
27 May 2007Herbert Groenemeyer12โ€”
24 May 2009AC/DCBlack Ice World Tourโ€”
5 July 2009Bruce SpringsteenWorking on a Dream Tour37,798
30 August 2010U2U2 360ยฐ Tour69,253
18 June 2011Herbert GroenemeyerSchiffsverkehrโ€”
22 July 2011Bon JoviBon Jovi Live56,280
11 July 2012Bruce SpringsteenWrecking Ball World Tour50,293
29 July 2012MadonnaThe MDNA Tour33,250
27 June 2013Paul McCartneyOut There Tourโ€”
23 August 2013Roger WatersThe Wall Live36,385
16 June 2014The Rolling Stones14 On Fire57,700
10 June 2015One DirectionOn the Road Again Tour43,788
30 June 2015Helene FischerFarbenspiel Liveโ€”
1 July 2015Helene FischerFarbenspiel Liveโ€”
19 May 2016AC/DCRock or Bust World Tour50,364
11 June 2017ColdplayA Head Full of Dreams Tour56,246
10 July 2017Guns N' RosesNot in This Lifetime... Tour54,847
11 July 2018Helene FischerHelene Fischer Live 2017/2018โ€”
26 August 2017Robbie WilliamsThe Heavy Entertainment Show Tourโ€”
7 August 2018Ed Sheeranรท Tourโ€”
8 August 2018Ed Sheeranรท Tourโ€”
2 June 2019Phil CollinsStill Not Dead Yet Live Tourโ€”
17 July 2019Bon JoviThis House Is Not for Sale Tourโ€”
24 July 2019P!nkBeautiful Trauma World Tour55,873
16 August 2019MetallicaWorldWired Tour54,176
22 August 2019RammsteinEurope Stadium Tour 2019โ€”
23 August 2019RammsteinEurope Stadium Tour 2019โ€”
31 August 2019Andreas Gabalier10 Jahre Volks Rock'n Roll 2019โ€”
19 June 2022Green Day, Fall Out Boy, WeezerHella Mega Tourโ€”
13 July 2022Guns N' RosesGuns N' Roses 2020 Tourโ€”
15 July 2022The Rolling StonesSixty57,141
1 September 2022Ed Sheeran+โ€“x Tour124,800
2 September 2022Ed Sheeran+โ€“x Tourโ€”
1 July 2023P!nkPink Summer Carnivalโ€”
2 July 2023P!nkPink Summer Carnivalโ€”
8 July 2023Harry StylesLove On Tourโ€”
14 July 2023Red Hot Chili PeppersGlobal Stadium Tourโ€”
18 July 2023Bruce Springsteen2023 Tourโ€”
26 July 2023RammsteinRammstein Stadium Tourโ€”
27 July 2023RammsteinRammstein Stadium Tourโ€”
23 June 2024AC/DCPower Up Tour118,066
26 June 2024AC/DCPower Up Tourโ€”
21 August 2024ColdplayMusic of the Spheres World Tour251,399
22 August 2024ColdplayMusic of the Spheres World Tourโ€”
24 August 2024ColdplayMusic of the Spheres World Tourโ€”
25 August 2024ColdplayMusic of the Spheres World Tourโ€”
12 July 2025Robbie WilliamsRobbie Williams Live 2025โ€”
14 July 2025Justin TimberlakeJT Live 2025โ€”
17 July 2025Iron MaidenRun for Your Lives World Tourโ€”
24 July 2025Guns N' RosesBecause What You Want & What You Get Are Two Completely Different Things Tourโ€”
9 June 2026Linkin ParkFrom Zero World Tourโ€”

Note: In August 2024, Taylor Swift's scheduled concerts were canceled due to security concerns related to a terrorism plot.

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References

References

A full list of references for this article are available at the Ernst-Happel-Stadion Wikipedia page

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Important Notice

This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on publicly available data and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date.

This is not professional advice. The information provided on this website is not a substitute for professional consultation regarding sports venues, event planning, or architectural details. Always refer to official documentation and consult with qualified professionals for specific needs.

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