Viking Stadion

Viking Stadion
Viking Stadion in 2006
Map
LocationJåttåvågen, Stavanger
OwnerViking Fotball AS
SpareBank 1 SR-Bank
OperatorViking FK
Capacity15,900
Record attendance16,600 vs Brann (24 June 2007)[1]
Field size105 m × 68 m (115 yd × 74 yd)
SurfaceNatural grass (2004–2017)
Artificial turf (2018–)
Construction
Broke groundApril 2003
Opened1 May 2004
Construction cost€20 million
ArchitectLINK signatur AS / NBBJ Design
Tenants
Viking FK (2004–present)

Viking Stadion (currently named SR-Bank Arena for sponsorship purposes), is a football stadium in Stavanger, Norway. It was inaugurated in May 2004 and cost 160 million NOK (€20 million) to build. 50 million NOK, plus the lot it was built on, was a gift from the municipality. It replaced Stavanger Stadion as the home stadium of Viking FK.

Viking Stadion 17 September 2006

In 2006, the stadium was expanded beyond the original capacity of 15,300 to 16,600. The capacity was later reduced to 16,300 in 2012 to make room for two giant screens. From 2018 the capacity is again reduced to 15,900.

Originally an all-seater stadium, parts of the west stand have been converted to safe standing in recent years.

The record attendance is 16,600 from 24 June 2007, when Viking met Brann.[1]

Jåttåvågen railway station, which serves the Jæren Commuter Rail, is located right outside the stadium.

The venue has hosted the Norway national under-21 football team on four occasions, playing 1–0 against Spain on 31 May 2006, 1–1 against Bosnia and Herzegovina on 6 September 2006, 2–2 against Slovakia on 10 June 2009 and 2–2 against Belgium on 10 November 2011.[2]

In a 2012 survey carried out by the Norwegian Players' Association among away-team captains, Viking Stadion was found to be the league's fourth-best stadium, with a score of 4.27 on a scale from one to five.[3]

In 2015, it was decided to replace the natural grass surface of the stadium with artificial grass. The new surface was installed in March 2018.[4]

In April 2018, the stadium was renamed SR-Bank Arena following a sponsorship deal with SpareBank 1 SR-Bank.[5][6]

The stadium can also host large music concerts and events. Among the artists who have played at Viking Stadion are Bryan Adams, R.E.M., Roger Waters, Bob Dylan, Sissel Kyrkjebø & Plácido Domingo, The Eagles, Kiss, Robbie Williams, Ylvis and Bon Jovi.[7][1]

  1. ^ a b c "SR-Bank Arena". Viking FK. Retrieved 24 August 2022.
  2. ^ "Norge Menn U21" (in Norwegian). Football Association of Norway. Archived from the original on 12 May 2012. Retrieved 26 November 2011.
  3. ^ "Lerkendal nest beste fotballbane" (in Norwegian). Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation. 28 November 2012. Archived from the original on 1 December 2012. Retrieved 30 November 2012.
  4. ^ "Se, her er kunstgresset på plass på Viking stadion". Stavanger Aftenblad (in Norwegian). 2 March 2018. Retrieved 24 August 2022.
  5. ^ "Viking stadion skifter navn". Stavanger Aftenblad (in Norwegian). 4 April 2018. Retrieved 24 August 2022.
  6. ^ "Tap i første kamp på SR-Bank Arena" (in Norwegian). Viking FK. 11 April 2018. Retrieved 24 August 2022.
  7. ^ "Her er alt du må vite om Bon Jovi konserten" (in Norwegian). Viking FK. 5 June 2019. Retrieved 11 June 2019.