UPC-Arena facts for kids
| Former names | Arnold Schwarzenegger Stadion, Bundesstadion Graz-Liebenau, Liebenauer Stadion |
|---|---|
| Location | Graz, Austria |
| Owner | Stadion Liebenau Betriebs GmbH |
| Capacity | 15 400 |
| Field size | 105 x 72 m |
| Surface | lawn |
| Construction | |
| Built | 1994 - 1997 |
| Opened | July 9th, 1997 (GAK - Sturm Graz 0:4) |
| Architect | Team A Graz |
| Tenants | |
| SK Sturm Graz, GAK | |
The UPC-Arena is a large football stadium located in Graz, Austria. It is the home field for the SK Sturm Graz football team. For a while, it was even known as the Arnold Schwarzenegger Stadium!
Contents
The Stadium's Story
The very first stadium here was built before the Second World War. In the 1950s, it got a big update. They added a skating rink and an indoor swimming pool. Today, the skating rink is home to the Graz 99ers ice hockey team.
In the 1970s, the stadium became the main home for Graz's two big football clubs. These were SK Sturm and Grazer AK.
How the Stadium Got Its Name
The stadium was first named after Arnold Schwarzenegger. He is a famous bodybuilder and actor. He also served as the Governor of California. Arnold Schwarzenegger was born near Graz.
The stadium was built between 1994 and 1997. It opened with a big football game. This game was between Grazer AK and SK Sturm Graz.
Later, there was a discussion about the stadium's name. This happened after Governor Schwarzenegger made a difficult decision. He decided not to pardon a prisoner. Because of this, he chose to take back the right to use his name for the stadium.
So, the stadium was then called Stadium Graz-Liebenau. This name came from the part of the town where it is located.
In 2006, the stadium got a new name again: UPC Arena. This name came from a sponsor of SK Sturm Graz. UPC is a large company in Austria that provides internet services.
Cool Facts About the Arena
The UPC-Arena can hold 15,400 people. These seats are spread across 27 different sections. For special games, like those in the Champions League, the stadium can fit even more fans. It can expand to hold up to 16,000 people!
The football field has a special heating system under the grass. This helps keep the lawn in good condition. The arena also has two large video screens. Bright floodlights help light up the field for night games.
Important Matches Played Here
The stadium has hosted many exciting football matches. The national team of Austria has played 14 games here. The very first national team game was in 1970 against Yugoslavia.
On September 5, 2009, Austria played against the Faroe Islands here. Austria won that game 3-1.
Another big match was on May 30, 2010. England played against Japan in the arena. The English team was training in Styria for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. England won that game 2-1.
In 2011, the UPC-Arena was also a venue for the American Football World Championship.
Images for kids
-
A wide view of the UPC-Arena during a game.
See also
In Spanish: Stadion Graz-Liebenau para niños
