Monday, 7 Oct 2024

Friends Arena: Sweden / AIK Fotboll

Located just North of the centre of Stockholm is Friends Arena, the impressive home of the Swedish national football team and AIK Fotboll. As the top-flight league of Swedish football, Allsvenskan, takes place here, the stadium holds great significance. Friends Arena, originally known as Swedbank Arena, acquired its name through a unique partnership; Swedbank, worth €200 million, donated the naming rights to an anti-bullying non-profit organization called Friends.

Stats

  • Year Opened: 2012
  • Capacity: 54,329
  • Average Attendance: 21,000
  • Record Attendance: 49,967 (Sweden vs. England, 2012)
  • Pitch Size: 105 x 68 (7140 sq. meters)
  • Former Name: Swedbank Arena
  • Owner: Swedish Football Association, Folksam, Solna Municipality, Jernhusen, Peab, Fabege
  • Sponsor: Friends
  • Clubs Hosted: Sweden national football team, AIK Fotboll
  • First Fixture: Sweden vs. England (14/11/2012)

Friends Arena

Friends Arena Seating Plan and Where to Sit

Friends Arena’s design features a continuous seating “bowl” style, which is popular in modern European stadiums. Unlike more traditional stadiums with distinct stands on each side, Friends Arena has three levels. The lower and upper tiers are separated by hospitality seating on three sides, while the fourth side has an additional row of standard seating.

AIK Fotboll Ticket Prices

Pricing information for foreign teams’ matches can be elusive unless they have a significant following among English audiences, such as Real Madrid or Barcelona. For AIK Fotboll matches, there are several sections within the stadium catering to different supporter bases. In addition to the main stands, there are unreserved areas with slightly cheaper pricing, two family sections, and a dedicated area for ages eleven to sixteen. For those seeking a more premium experience, Premium tickets are available.

How To Get AIK Fotboll Tickets

Acquiring AIK Fotboll tickets is relatively straightforward. Start by visiting the club’s official website, where you can find information and make purchases. Alternatively, you can contact the club’s ticket office or visit the stadium. Additionally, a club shop is located at Dalvägen 30 in Stockholm, where tickets may also be purchased.

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Where to Buy

Sweden Ticket Prices

Ticket prices for national sides tend to vary based on the game and the organization responsible for setting prices. International friendlies are typically priced by the country’s Football Association, while World Cup qualifiers or European Championship games might be influenced by FIFA and UEFA.

Prices also differ based on seating location and age. As an example, ticket prices for a recent World Cup Qualifying game against Belarus ranged from 200 Kr. to 500 Kr., excluding any available hospitality options.

How To Get Sweden Tickets

Tickets for Sweden matches are usually available through the Swedish Football Association. Depending on the match organizer, you may need to turn to UEFA or FIFA for ticket purchases.

Where to Buy

Getting To Friends Arena

Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, offers various transportation options to get to Friends Arena:

Train: From Stockholm Central, take the commuter train to Solna Station, which is less than ten minutes’ walk away. The Underground also stops at Solna Centrum, but it’s approximately a thirty-minute walk from the stadium. The tram is another option, with a stop at Solna Station.

Bus: Bus 103 Arenastaden runs from Solna Station to the stadium on weekends and during matches.

Car: If you’re driving, head to Arenastaden, north of Stockholm Central. Use a navigation device for specific instructions.

By Air: Stockholm-Arlanda Airport is the closest, approximately 25 miles from the city center. Bromma Airport is about a twenty-minute drive, while Skavsta and Västerås Airports are roughly an hour and twenty minutes away.

Taxi: A taxi ride from Stockholm Central to the stadium takes about fifteen minutes and costs around 190 Kr.

Parking Near Friends Arena

Official parking near the stadium is limited. It is recommended to use public transportation if you are unfamiliar with the area.

Useful Resources

Friends Arena Hotels

As the capital of Sweden, Stockholm offers a range of hotels to accommodate visitors. Here are some recommended options:

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Pubs and Bars Near Friends Arena

Swedes enjoy their drinks, especially in the occasionally chilly weather. Here are some popular pubs and bars near Friends Arena:

Facilities

Since its opening in 2012, Friends Arena has become one of Sweden’s best-equipped stadiums. The stadium offers excellent views from all angles, and concessions are available throughout for food and drinks during matches and concerts.

Hospitality

Three-quarters of the stadium features a hospitality level between the top and lower tiers. Lagardère Sports, an international company specializing in hospitality packages, manages these spaces. Several restaurants are located throughout the arena, and there are Skyboxes for those seeking a more private experience.

If you’re interested in learning more about the hospitality lounges at Friends Arena, there are a few options to consider. The West Lounge offers a three-course meal served at your table from an open kitchen, while the East Lounge provides a more relaxed environment. Both options ensure an unforgettable experience.

Private Hire

Friends Arena offers rooms and spaces for events of any size. In addition to football matches, the stadium hosts equestrian events, concerts, conferences, and business meetings. The stadium is well-equipped to accommodate your event needs.

Stadium Tours & Museum

A guided tour of Friends Arena is a must for sports fans, architecture enthusiasts, and technology lovers. Explore behind the scenes of one of Sweden’s most renowned stadiums, visit the dressing rooms, media center, and walk alongside the pitch.

Stadium tours are available on selected dates throughout the year. The tours begin at 1pm at Entrance A and are free to join without prior registration or tickets. Please note that tours do not take place on event days. If you are attending an event or conference at Friends Arena, private tours can be arranged by contacting the stadium directly.

About AIK Fotboll

AIK Fotboll, known as AIK, short for Allmänna Idrottsklubben (The Public Athletics Club), was founded in 1891. The football division was established in 1896, making it one of Sweden’s oldest successful clubs. AIK has the record for the longest time spent in the country’s top-flight league, Allsvenskan. The name reflects the club’s inclusiveness and its ability to attract the highest average attendance in Sweden.

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AIK has won the Swedish Championship twelve times and finished as runners-up fifteen times. The club has also won the Svenska Cupen eight times, the Svenska Mästerskapet six times, and the Svenska Supercupen once. While AIK has made four appearances in the Champions League, their more common participation is in UEFA’s Europa League. Although they have yet to win either competition, AIK remains a dominant force in Swedish football.

About Sweden

The Sweden national football team played its first game in 1908, impressing spectators with an 11-3 victory against Norway. However, the ensuing five games against England, Great Britain, Belgium, and the Netherlands resulted in defeats. Despite this, Sweden has achieved notable success, reaching the World Cup final in 1958 and finishing as runners-up to Brazil. They also qualified for the European Championships for the first time in 1992, reaching the semi-finals. Over the years, Sweden has won the Gold Medal in the 1948 Summer Olympics and the Nordic Football Championship nine times.

Friends Arena History

Prior to its opening in 2012, both AIK Fotboll and the Sweden national team played their matches at Råsunda Stadium. Friends Arena’s notable feature is its flexibility, allowing it to be modified for different events. With a capacity of 65,000 for concerts and 54,000 for football matches, it can cater to formal occasions with an audience as small as 20,000.

The Arena is the largest sports complex in the Nordic countries and is renowned for its retractable roof, providing flexibility in all weather conditions. Its official opening featured an impressive concert with Swedish artists and performers showcasing the country’s best moments over the years. The purchase of the arena and its surrounding area by Fabege in 2016 indicates potential future developments, though specifics have not been announced yet.

FAQs

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