Ernst-Happel-Stadion

stadium in Vienna

The Ernst-Happel-Stadion is a football stadium in Vienna, Austria. The Ernst Happel Stadium is the largest football stadium in Austria. It is the home of the Austrian national football team. Club football matches are limited to the Austrian cup final and international competitions with one of Vienna's top clubs, FK Austria Wien and SK Rapid Wien, as their homegrounds are too small for UEFA Champions League and UEFA Cup matches. Local derbies between FK Austria and SK Rapid have also been played in the stadium. In 2014, it became the official homeground of SK Rapid Wien because their stadium was being rebuilt.

Ernst-Happel-Stadion
Map
Former namesPraterstadion
LocationVienna, Austria
OwnerCity of Vienna
OperatorWiener Stadthalle Betriebs- und Veranstaltungsgesellschaft m.b.H.
Capacity53,008
Field size105 x 68 m
Surfacelawn
Construction
Built1929 -1931
Opened11 July 1931
Expanded1945, 1956, 1965, 1984–1986, 2005–2008 (for the UEFA Euro 2008)
ArchitectOtto Ernst Schweizer (Tübingen)
Tenants
Austrian football national team, FK Austria Wien and SK Rapid Wien (only for UEFA matches)
Austrian Cup final 2011 SV Ried vs.SC Austria Lustenau

History

change

The stadium was built between 1929 and 1931. It was used and opend for the second Workers' Olympiad 1931. The capacity of the stadium was approximately 60,000 people. The first match in the new stadium was a match between a selection from workers sportclubs from Lower Austria and Vienna. (2:3).

During the occupation of Austria by Nazi Germany it was used as barracks and also as collecting point for Viennese Jews. In 2003 a private plaque was created in the VIP area to remind on this incidents. In 1944 the stadium was bombed and heavily demaged.

After the Second World war the stadium was reconstructed. 1956 the capacity was extended to 92,708 people.The record was 91,000 visitors on October 30, 1960 at the football match between Spain and Austria (3-0). After the death of former Austrian top player and coach Ernst Happel, the Prater Stadium was renamed after him in 1992.

UEFA Euro 2008

change

The Ernst-Happel-Stadion hosted 7 games of Euro 2008: 3 group games of the Austrian team, two quarter-finals, one semi-final and the final.

Date Time (CET) Team #1 Result Team #2 Round Spectators
8 June 2008 18.00   Austria 01   Croatia Group B 51,428
12 June 2008 20.45   Austria 1 >– 1   Poland Group B 51,428
16 June 2008 20.45   Austria 01   Germany Group B 51,428
20 June 2008 20.45   Croatia 11 aet
(1 – 3 pen.)
  Turkey quarter-finals 51,428
22 June 2008 20.45   Spain 00 aet
(4 – 2 pen.)
  Italy quarter-finals 48,000
26 June 2008 20.45   Russia 03   Spain semi-final 51,428
29 June 2008 20.45   Germany 01   Spain final 51,428
 

Other matches

change
  • 1995 UEFA Champions League final: Ajax 1 – 0 Milan
  • 1994 UEFA Cup final: Internazionale 1– 0 Austria Salzburg
  • 1990 European Cup final: Milan 1 – 0 Benfica
  • 1987 European Cup final: Porto 2 – 1 Bayern Munich
  • 1970 European Cup Winners Cup final: Manchester City 2 – 1 Górnik Zabrze
  • 1964 European Cup final: Internazionale 3 – 1 Real Madrid

Concerts

change

The stadium has hosted concerts by many famous artists, including AC/DC, Bon Jovi, David Bowie, Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band, Guns N' Roses, Michael Jackson, Pink Floyd, Robert Plant, Rihanna, The Rolling Stones, U2, Kanye West and Robbie Williams, among others.