Worthersee Stadium

Worthersee Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium located in Klagenfurt, Austria. It is the home ground of Austria Klagenfurt, a football club that plays in the 1st Austrian Bundesliga. The stadium has a capacity of 30,000 for international matches and 18,000 for domestic matches. It was one of the venues for the UEFA Euro 2008 and has hosted several major concerts and events.

The Worthersee Stadium, also known as 28 Black Arena for sponsorship reasons, is a modern and versatile venue that can host various sports, entertainment, and cultural events. The stadium is situated within the Sportpark Klagenfurt campus of several other sports venues, such as an ice hockey arena, a tennis center, and a beach volleyball court. Its name refers to the nearby Worthersee lake, a popular tourist destination in Carinthia.

The stadium was built to replace the old Worthersee Stadium, which was a track and field stadium with a capacity of 10,900. The old stadium was the home ground of the former SK Austria Klagenfurt (later FC Karnten), which played in the Austrian Football Bundesliga from 1962 to 1989 and from 2001 to 2004. The old stadium was demolished in 2005 and replaced by the new stadium, which was designed by the Swiss architect Albert Wimmer.

The new stadium was constructed for the UEFA Euro 2008, which was co-hosted by Austria and Switzerland. The stadium was one of the eight venues for the tournament and hosted three group matches and one quarter-final. The stadium was officially opened on September 7, 2007, with a friendly match between Austria and Japan, which ended in a 0-0 draw. The stadium had a capacity of 32,000 for the Euro 2008, but it was planned to reduce it to 22,000 after the event.

However, in 2009, the Carinthian government and the Austrian Sport Minister agreed to maintain the stadium’s capacity at 30,000 for international matches and 18,000 for domestic matches. The stadium was also fitted with rail seats for safe standing in the lower tier of the South Stand. The stadium was renamed Worthersee Stadium in 2010, after the sponsoring Hypo Group Alpe Adria faced financial troubles. In 2022, the stadium was renamed again to 28 Black Arena, after the energy drink manufacturer 28 Black became the main sponsor of SK Austria Klagenfurt.

The stadium is the home ground of SK Austria Klagenfurt, which was founded in 2007 as a successor of the bankrupt SK Austria Karnten. The club plays in the 1st Austrian Bundesliga, the top tier of Austrian football, since 2021. The club’s colors are blue and white, and its crest features a stylized swan, which is the symbol of Klagenfurt. The club’s motto is “Wir sind Klagenfurt” (We are Klagenfurt).

The stadium is also a regular venue for the Austria national football team, which has played several international matches and qualifiers there. The stadium has also hosted other football events, such as the Austrian Cup final, the Austrian Supercup, and friendly matches of European clubs, such as Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, Udinese, and Schalke 04.

Besides football, the stadium has also hosted other sports events, such as ice hockey, freestyle motocross, and athletics. In 2010 and 2019, the stadium was transformed into an outdoor ice hockey arena for the EBEL Winter Classic, which featured local teams EC KAC and EC VSV. In 2013, the stadium hosted the Masters of Dirt, a freestyle show with motorcycles, quads, and snowmobiles. In 2016, the stadium hosted the European Athletics Championships, which saw several records broken and medals won by European athletes.

The stadium is also a popular venue for concerts and cultural events, as it has a state-of-the-art sound and lighting system and a large stage. The stadium has hosted several world-famous artists and bands, such as Herbert Gronemeyer, Elton John, Robbie Williams, Ed Sheeran, Andrea Berg, Rammstein, Sting, Depeche Mode, and many more. The stadium has also hosted other events, such as the United World Games, a youth sports festival, and the Elementary School on the Move, a physical education program for children.

The stadium is considered one of the most modern and attractive stadiums in Austria, as it has a unique architecture and a beautiful location. The stadium’s roof has a dynamic shape that rises above the East Stand and offers a panoramic view of the Worthersee lake and the Alps. The stadium’s facade is made of glass and steel and reflects the colors of the sky and the surroundings. The stadium’s interior is spacious and comfortable, with wide seats, large screens, and various facilities for the spectators and the media.

The stadium is easily accessible by public transport, as it is located near the Klagenfurt West train station and several bus lines. The stadium also has ample parking spaces and bicycle racks for those who prefer to drive or cycle. The stadium is open for guided tours, which offer a behind-the-scenes look at the stadium’s history, architecture, and operations. The stadium also has a fan shop, a museum, and a restaurant for the visitors.

The Worthersee Stadium is a modern and versatile venue that can host various sports, entertainment, and cultural events. It is the home ground of Austria Klagenfurt, a football club that plays in the 1st Austrian Bundesliga. It is also a regular venue for the Austria national football team and other football events. It has also hosted other sports events, such as ice hockey, freestyle motocross, and athletics. It has also hosted several major concerts and cultural events, such as Herbert Gronemeyer, Elton John, Robbie Williams, Ed Sheeran, Andrea Berg, Rammstein, Sting, Depeche Mode, and many more. The stadium is considered one of the most modern and attractive stadiums in Austria, as it has a unique architecture and a beautiful location. The stadium is easily accessible by public transport and offers various facilities and services for the visitors. The stadium is a pride of Klagenfurt and a symbol of Carinthia.