Liebenauer Stadium facts for kids
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| Former names | Arnold Schwarzenegger-Stadion (1995–2005) Stadion Graz-Liebenau (2005–2006) UPC-Arena (2006–2016) |
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| Location | Ivica-Osim-Platz 1 8041 Graz-Liebenau Austria |
| Coordinates | 47°02′46″N 15°27′16″E / 47.04611°N 15.45444°E |
| Owner | Stadion Liebenau Betriebs GmbH |
| Operator | City of Graz |
| Capacity | 16,364 (domestic games) 15,400 (international games) |
| Field size | 105 x 68 m (114.8 x 74.4 yd) |
| Surface | Natural grass with under-soil heating |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | 9 January 1995 |
| Opened | 9 July 1997 |
| Tenants | |
| Sturm Graz and Grazer AK 2011 IFAF World Championship |
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| Website | |
| https://mcg.at/locations/merkur-arena/# | |
The Merkur-Arena is a well-known football stadium located in the Liebenau area of Graz, Austria. It is also called the Liebenauer Stadium. This stadium is the home ground for two popular football clubs: SK Sturm Graz and Grazer AK. Over time, the stadium has been known by different names, including the Arnold Schwarzenegger Stadium and the UPC-Arena.
Contents
History of the Merkur-Arena
Building the Stadium and Its First Name
The stadium was built between 1996 and early 1997. It was first named after Arnold Schwarzenegger. He is a famous bodybuilder, actor, and was once the governor of the U.S. state of California. Schwarzenegger was born near Graz.
The stadium officially opened on July 9, 1997. The very first game played there was between Grazer AK and SK Sturm Graz. SK Sturm Graz won that match with a score of 4:0. The company Stadion Liebenau Betriebs GmbH owns the stadium.
Changing the Stadium's Name
In December 2005, there was a big discussion in Graz. This happened because Arnold Schwarzenegger, who was then the governor, did not stop a legal execution. Because of this, people in his hometown debated what to do with the stadium named after him.
After a few days, Schwarzenegger decided to remove his name from the stadium. He told the city of Graz they could no longer use it. On December 26, 2005, his name was taken off the stadium. The remaining part, Stadion Graz-Liebenau, was removed on February 17, 2006.
The very next day, on February 18, 2006, the stadium was renamed the UPC-Arena. This name lasted for about ten years. Then, in March 2016, an Austrian insurance company called Merkur Versicherung bought the rights to the stadium's name. That's when it became known as the Merkur-Arena, which is its current name.
Honoring Ivica Osim
In 2023, the city of Graz honored a famous football player and coach, Ivica Osim. He was a long-time player and coach for SK Sturm Graz and had passed away the year before. The forecourt, which is the area in front of the Merkur-Arena, was renamed Ivica-Osim-Platz. This means 'Ivica-Osim-Square'.
About the Merkur-Arena Stadium
Stadium Capacity and Features
The Merkur-Arena can hold 15,400 people for international games. For games played within Austria, it can hold up to 16,364 fans. The stadium has 27 different sections for seating.
Away fans, who support the visiting team, usually sit in sector 8. This section can hold about 750 people. If more away fans are expected, sectors 9 and sometimes 10 are also given to them. Each of these sectors also holds about 750 seats.
When SK Sturm Graz played in the UEFA Champions League, extra seating was added. This made the stadium's capacity reach 16,000 spectators. The stadium also has a special area for people using wheelchairs.
The Football Field
The football field at Merkur-Arena is 105 meters long and 68 meters wide. It has a special system called "undersoil heating." This means there are pipes under the grass that keep the field warm. This helps the grass stay healthy, even in cold weather.
Important Matches Hosted
The Merkur-Arena has hosted some exciting international football matches. On September 5, 2009, it held a World Cup qualifying game. Austria played against the Faroe Islands. Austria won that match 3–1.
On May 30, 2010, the stadium hosted a friendly match between England and Japan. England was training in Austria to get ready for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. England won the game 2–1, thanks to two goals scored by Japan's own players by mistake.
Average Attendance at Merkur-Arena
This table shows the average number of fans who attended league matches at the Merkur-Arena each season for both Grazer AK and SK Sturm Graz.
| Season | Grazer AK | SK Sturm Graz |
|---|---|---|
| 1997–98 | 8,772 | 9,167 |
| 1998–99 | 7,040 | 10,972 |
| 1999–2000 | 6,584 | 11,123 |
| 2000–01 | 5,631 | 10,831 |
| 2001–02 | 7,294 | 10,057 |
| 2002–03 | 6,919 | 7,374 |
| 2003–04 | 9,007 | 7,836 |
| 2004–05 | 8,396 | 6,739 |
| 2005–06 | 7,372 | 8,330 |
| 2006–07 | 5,807 | 9,546 |
| 2007–08 | 2,792 | 12,015 |
| 2008–09 | 2,590 | 12,830 |
| 2009–10 | 1,800 | 11,726 |
| 2010–11 | 2,548 | 11,875 |
| 2011–12 | 3,618 | 10,827 |
| 2012–13 | 1,809 * | 10,682 |
* Grazer AK's team was dissolved after 6 matches in this season.
Stadium Sponsors
From 2006 to 2016, the stadium was sponsored by a company called UPC Austria. During this time, it was known as the UPC-Arena.
In 2016, Merkur Versicherung, an Austrian insurance company, became the new sponsor. They secured the rights to the stadium's name. Their contract is planned to last for 10 years, until 2026. This is why the stadium is now called the Merkur-Arena.
See also
In Spanish: Stadion Graz-Liebenau para niños
