Ernst Happel Stadion (Vienna)

The Ernst Happel Stadion (Praterstadion until 1992, sometimes also called Wiener Stadion) is a football stadium in Leopoldstadt, 2nd district of the Austrian capital Vienna. With 50,865 seats, it is the largest stadium in Austria. It was built between 1929 and 1931 for the second Olympiad of workers, designed by German architect Otto Ernst Schweitzer. The stadium was renamed in honor of the Austrian football player Ernst Happel after his death in 1992. The stadium hosted seven games at Euro 2008, including the final, in which Spain defeated Germany.

The stadium belongs to the city of Vienna (Municipal Department 51 – Vienna Sports). It is managed by Wiener Stadthalle Betriebs und Veranstaltungsgesellschaft mbH, a subsidiary of Wien Holding. This is a UEFA 4th category stadium, and as such, it is the home of the Austrian national team. It also hosts Vienna club games in the Europa League.

Basic information

Arena capacity: 68,500 spectators 

Address: Meiereistraße 7, 1020 Vienna, Austria. 

GPS coordinates for the navigator: 48 ° 12′25.8 ″ N 16 ° 25′13.9 ″ E 

Year of construction: 1929-1931 

Field: 105 m × 68 m (344 ft × 223 ft) 

Ernst Happel Stadium Seating Plan

Ernst Happel Stadium consists of four stands: North, East, South and West.

North Stand – the default home for Vienna’s fastest-growing Rapid supporters, with a lush board usually representing impressive tifos just before the start. As a rule, the more important the match, the better the support!

East Stand – recognizable by the use of green plastic seats, which coincidentally are the main color of the current residents of Rapid Wein. There is a three-level structure of the earth, the third level of which is located so close to the roof that it is partially hidden by shadows.

South Stand – Contains a mixture of yellow and blue seats. Outing fans are usually located in the southeast corner in section F.

West Stand – the main stand of the Ernst Happel stadium, recently renovated to give it red seats that better reflect the status of the stadium as the home of the Austrian national team. He deviates from the idea of ​​a three-tiered solid seat for the rest of the stands, to accommodate comments for comments, space for the press and corporate hospitality.

Away fans

Outing fans are usually located in the southeast corner of the stadium in sector F, which is clearly indicated by the use of yellow seats.

For international matches involving Austria, the standard distribution is about 3,000 tickets, which fills the third level, but for league matches with less attendance, trip supporters can be close to the field.

Where to buy tickets?

For international players, Austrian FAs sell tickets online through their website. FAs of visiting teams will distribute ticks through their own sites.

For a typical qualifying match, prices are set at 25 euros for the goal, 50 euros for the best places on the sidelines and 36 euros at the top level. Individual FAs may charge an administration fee in addition to this.

How to get there?

Ernst Happel Stadium is located about 3.5 km east of the center of Vienna, on the edge of the Prater Park, near the Danube River. The famous Vienna Ferris Wheel, also in Prater Park, is located about 2.5 km northwest of the stadium.

The stadium can be easily reached via metro line 2. Stadion Station is in the immediate vicinity of the stadium. Line 2 runs along the northern and western edges of the center of Vienna.

If you are here from mid-March to mid-October, the miniature Liliputbahn railway passes through the Prater Park from the main entrance through the fair to Messe – about half the way from Praterstern to the stadium. Tickets cost 4 euros, 2.50 euros for 2-14s.

Where to eat

Ernst Happela Stadium is located between Prater Park and the Danube River, mixed with some other sports facilities, a city conference center, some shopping centers and some residential buildings.

Directly across the street from the stadium is the Stadion Center shopping center, which also offers several food outlets, but, as a rule, food and drink options are quite limited, and this is best done in the city center and its environs. Prater Park is very pleasant, although on a summer day, and the fair with the famous Ferris wheel is also (just) within walking distance.

Due to the proximity to the conference center, you will find a decent number of hotels near the Ernst Happel Stadium. The Hilton Vienna Danube and Courtyard by Marriott Wien Messe are just a short walk from the stadium, but obviously come at a price. The Austria Trend Hotel Messe is somewhat more affordable.

Instead, you can also strategically choose your hotel between the stadium and the city center so that both are within walking distance. Hotel Suite 200m zum Prater is located on the other side of the park towards the center. Hotel Urania, Hotel Adlon and Hotel Cristall are close to the fair and at reasonable prices. The area also has various rental options for apartments.

The classic venue for the match is Schweizerhaus, a large beer terrace by the green Praterturm at the Prater fair. Built in a Vienna-style district, the Schweizerhaus can trace its history back to 1766, but owes its present look to Karl Kolarik, who took over the business in 1920. Offering large mugs of Budvar beer and hearty meat dishes, the Schweizerhaus is still managed by the Kolarik Family. The stadium is a 15-minute walk through the park.

Near the stadium, the only suitable bar is located at the racecourse, the traditional Krieauer Beisl, signposted on Meiereistraße, a short walk from the stables. A little further, on the other side of the shopping center, next to the U2 Stadion station, Gasthaus Mehler on Handelskai 338 is a traditional rustic place with wooden tables in its own courtyard.

Also tucked down the Marathonweg next to the Energiezentrum Wien, the essbar is a comfortable spot on the terrace overlooking the training ground with the national stadium as a backdrop.

Back at Meirestrasse near the stadium, the Würstelstand stadium has been in the Teibtner family since Nat Lofthouse earned the nickname “Vienna Lion” at an international competition here in 1952. Classic Balkan grilled meats are complemented by standard sausage snacks and Ottakringer beer.

On the other side of the arena, behind sector E and next to the Rapid Vienna training field, the Kantine Stadion is a modest hut with outdoor seating, where Ottakringer draft beer and Bottled Stiegl beer can help wash debreziner sausage or caciocavallo cheese roll. The nearby Stiegl hut offers a similar nightly match.

History

The stadium was built in 23 months. It was built according to the project of the Tübingen architect Otto Ernst Schweitzer and the second working Olympiad. Schweizer also designed the neighboring stadium (with 400,000 sq. M, the largest pool in Europe). According to the location in Vienna’s Prater, it was originally called the Prater Stadium. At that time it was a modern stadium, especially in Europe, due to its short unloading time of only 7-8 minutes. Initially, the stadium had a capacity of about 60,000 people.

After the war and the reconstruction of the stadium, it was already in its original use. T power he stadium was expanded to 92,708 people Theodor Schull, but then was reduced. The attendance record was 91,000 spectators, set at a football match between Spain and Austria (0-3).

The stands covered and fully equipped with seats. At its opening, a friendly match was organized against the main rivals of Germany. Austria won the match 4:1.After the death of former Austrian top player and coach Ernst Happel Stadium, Prater was renamed in his honor. The Ernst Happel Stadium was the venue for the UEFA European Cup/Champions League final.

During the UEFA Euro 2008 tournament, Ernst Happel was the venue for the final match. Previously, the stadium hosted three group matches of the Austrian national team, two quarter finals and a semifinal match. In preparation for the tournament, the first and second seats of the additional rows of seats increased the capacity of the stadium to 53,000 seats.

In anticipation of the tournament, it was equipped with heating. It was established a connection to the Viennese subway, which facilitated access to the whole city. The costs of the reconstruction amounted to 39.6 million euros.