Viborg Stadion, currently known as Energi Viborg Arena for sponsorship reasons, is the home of Danish Superliga club Viborg FF with a capacity of 10,000. Originally built in 1931, it also plays host to the Danish national women's football team.

Energi Viborg Arena
Viborg Stadion
Energi Viborg Arena in 2011
Map
Full nameEnergi Viborg Arena
Former namesViborg Stadion (1931–2011)
Energi Viborg Arena (2011–present)
AddressStadion Allé 7
8800 Viborg
Denmark
OwnerViborg Municipality[1]
OperatorViborg Stadion Center
Capacity10,000 (9,566 seated)
Record attendance18,000
(Denmark B v Sweden B, 21 October 1956)
Field size105 by 68 metres (114.8 yd × 74.4 yd)[2]
Construction
Built1931
Opened5 July 1931; 93 years ago (1931-07-05)[3]
Renovated2008
2021
Rebuilt2001–2007
Years active1931–present
Construction cost62.1 million kr. (2001)
(93.8 million kr. in 2023)
Tenants
Viborg FF (1931–present)
Denmark

The naming rights of the stadium were sold in October 2011 to Energi Viborg, an energy and water company.[4] While the deal was subject to some criticism,[5] it was later extended on several occasions.[6] The current agreement runs until the end of 2025.[7]

Reconstruction

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In 2001, the old stadium was demolished[3] in order for a new stadium to be built in its place at a cost of 62.1 million Danish kroner (93.8 million DKK in 2023).[8] While the main stadium itself was completed by the following year, work continued until 2007 as standing sections were re-introduced to the stadium. With an overall capacity of 10,000 seats, only 9,566 are seated with the remainder being evenly split between both the home and away sides for standing room. In 2008, two large screens were also added to the stadium.[9]

The stadium currently contains a heated pitch, as well as floodlights capable of providing 1200 lux.[10]

Concerts

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On 15 June 2008, the stadium played host to its first concert as Dolly Parton played at the ground as part of her Backwoods Barbie Tour.[11]

National team use

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Previously, the stadium has also played host to the Danish men's B squad in October 1956. While Denmark lost the match 4–0 to Sweden,[12] the 18,000 in attendance set a then-record for the entirety of Scandinavia.[citation needed] The stadium also hosted several matches throughout the 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Championship, hosting three matches for Group B as well as a semi-final match.[13]

The men's national team also played at the stadium in a friendly on 8 June 2015, hosting the national team from Montenegro.[14] With 9,180 fans in attendance, Denmark won the match 2–1 with two goals in the second half.[15]

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References

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  1. ^ "Viborg Kommune - Borger - Kultur og fritid - Fritidstilbud - Viborg Stadion Center - Viborg Stadion" (in Danish). Viborg Municipality. 11 August 2014. Archived from the original on 13 March 2016.
  2. ^ "Viborg FF - Fakta om stadion". www.vff.dk (in Danish). Viborg: Viborg FF. Archived from the original on 13 August 2009. Retrieved 13 August 2009. Stadionkapacitet: 9.566, overdækkede siddepladser. (V: 2.662; N:2.072; Ø: 2.792; S: 2.040); Banestørrelse: 105 x 68 m.; Lysanlæg: 1200 lux.;{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  3. ^ a b Møller, Dan Ersted (5 July 2005). "Viborgs historie - Historier - Sportens by". www.viborghistorie.dk (in Danish). Lokalhistorisk Arkiv for Viborg Kommune, Viborg Centralbibliotek, Viborg Stiftsmuseum. Archived from the original on 9 January 2017. Retrieved 9 January 2017.
  4. ^ Kristensen, Danni (14 October 2011). "Viborg Stadion bliver til Energi Viborg Arena" (in Danish). Viborg Folkeblad. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
  5. ^ Stougaard, Karl (12 August 2014). "Baggrund: Stadionnavnet, der var en gave fra borgmesteren". Politiken. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
  6. ^ "Energi Viborg fortsætter sit partnerskab med Viborg F.F." Energi Viborg. 27 August 2014. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
  7. ^ Bøss, Jesper (19 January 2024). "Energi Viborg og Viborg FF forlænger samarbejdet" (in Danish). Viborg FF. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
  8. ^ "Inflation calculator". Statistics Denmark. Retrieved 16 September 2024.
  9. ^ "Viborg FF's historie". Viborg FF. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
  10. ^ "Energi Viborg Arena" (in Danish). Viborg FF. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
  11. ^ Poulsen, Mia (15 June 2008). "Dronning Dolly slog sig løs" (in Danish). Viborg Folkeblad. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
  12. ^ "Danmark - Sverige 0 - 4". DBU. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
  13. ^ "Finalen spilles i Aarhus" (in Danish). DBU. 9 October 2010. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
  14. ^ "Danmark - Montenegro 2 - 1". DBU. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
  15. ^ "9180 tilskuere så Danmark vinde i Viborg" (in Danish). Viborg Stifts Folkeblad. 8 June 2015. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
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56°27′21.23″N 9°24′7.43″E / 56.4558972°N 9.4020639°E / 56.4558972; 9.4020639