Ernst Happel Stadion
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Ernst Happel Stadium | |
 |
|
| Facility statistics | |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Ernst-Happel-Stadion |
| Location | Vienna |
| Opened | 1931 |
| Owner | |
| Operator | Wiener Stadthalle Betriebs- und Veranstaltungsgesellschaft m.b.H. |
| Construction cost | |
| Architect | Otto Ernst Schweizer |
| Former names | |
| Prater Stadium (Praterstadion) | |
| Tenants | |
| Austrian national football team FK Austria Wien (UEFA-organised games only) SK Rapid Wien (UEFA-organised games only) |
|
| Capacity | |
| 49,825 | |
| Dimensions | |
| UEFA EURO 2008 Stadiums |
|---|
|
The Ernst Happel Stadium (Ernst-Happel-Stadion) in Vienna is the largest football stadium in Austria. It is the home of the Austrian national football team, but its usage in club football is usually limited to international competitions in which the two of Vienna's top clubs, FK Austria Wien and SK Rapid Wien, take part. This is because their regular stadiums are too small to host matches in the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Cup.
Known prior to 1992 as the Prater Stadium (Praterstadion), it was built between 1929 and 1931 for the second Workers' Olympiad to the design of the German architect Otto Ernst Schweizer. The stadium was renamed in 1992, after the noted player and coach, Ernst Happel.
Although its current capacity is only 49,825, the stadium is rated one of UEFA's Five Star Stadiums (normally 50,000+ capacity), permitting it to host the UEFA Champions League final. The seating capacity is being expanded to 53,008 for the 2008 European Football Championship, whose final match will be held in this stadium. The stadium will also host 3 group games, 2 quarterfinals and a semifinal. The largest crowd accommodated in the stadium, before a capacity reduction in 1965, was 92,708 for a match against Spain.
[edit] Notable matches held in the stadium
- 1995 UEFA Champions League final: Ajax 1 – 0 AC Milan
- 1990 European Cup final: AC Milan 1 – 0 Benfica
- 1987 European Cup final: FC Porto 2 – 1 Bayern München
- 1964 European Cup final: Inter Milan 3 – 1 Real Madrid
| Preceded by Wembley Stadium London |
European Cup Final Venue 1964 |
Succeeded by San Siro Milan |
| Preceded by Sánchez Pizjuán Seville |
European Cup Final Venue 1987 |
Succeeded by Neckarstadion Stuttgart |
| Preceded by Camp Nou Barcelona |
European Cup Final Venue 1990 |
Succeeded by Stadio San Nicola Bari |
| Preceded by Olympic Stadium Athens |
UEFA Champions League Final Venue 1995 |
Succeeded by Stadio Olimpico Rome |
