Stadium owner:
SWS (Stadion Wals-Siezenheim Errichtungs GmbH) a 100 % subsidiary of Salzburg Land Invest.
Directors: DI Hofrat Alfred Denk and Mag Wolfgang Becker.
Construction
- The first brick of the EURO 2008 Wals-Siezenheim stadium was laid on 10 October 2001 on after a year of planning debates. The stadium was officially opened on 8 March 2003 for SV Wüstenrot Salzburg’s league match against FC Kärnten, a match that ended 1-1.
- In Summer 2005 Red Bull GmbH stepped in to buy the financially troubled SV Wüstenrot Salzburg, appointing previous owner Rudi Quehenberger as honoury president. As part of the takeover several of the facilities at the renamed ‘Bulls Arena’ were improved to make them internationally first class.
- On 6 May 2006 work commenced on the expansion of the ‘Bulls Arena’ to a 30,000 capacity stadium. A spectacular highlight of this project was the lifting of the entire stadium roof (weighing 2,150 tones) by 10.5 metres in order to make space for the new upper tier.
- On 25 July 2007 the refurbished stadium was opened as 31,000 spectators came to see Red Bull Salzburg beat Arsenal 1-0 in a friendly.
- Approximately 90,000 excited spectators visited the stadium during UEFA Euro 2008, with three group stage matches being held there.
- Putting the EURO 2008 stadium back in use in July 2008 ushered in a new era of Austrian football. With the upper tier also opened for national league matches the Red Bull Arena is able to offer up to 31,600 spectators the chance to see every Red Bull Salzburg match.
Construction costs:
The overall construct costs are estimated at EUR 70 million. The stadium project was joint-financed by federation, the Salzburg region and the Wals-Siezenheim council.
- EUR 45 million for the basic stadium (18,000 capacity)
- EUR 25 million for the expansion to 30,000
Capacity:
After completion of first phase:
- Normal capacity (including standing area): 18,250
- For European matches or over big events (just seating area): 16,200
After completion of second phase:
- League matches: 17,895
- European matches: 15,800
- League/European matches: 14,000
- League matches: 31,895 (including standing area)
- European matches (no standing area)
Technological facilities:
-Two 42m² video walls
-Two scoreboards
-The very latest supersonic sound system
-1,500 Lux floodlights
-Extremely modern special effects lighting system
-48 CCTV cameras
-Under soil heating
The artificial pitch:
Ever since March 2003, matches at the stadium have been played out on an artificial pitch, a controversial move at the time. SV Wüstenrot Salzburg were forced to play two UEFA Cup matches in Linz in Autumn 2003 with football authorities unsure of the surface’s validity. After Red Bull took the club over in Summer 2005, the “FIFA Recommended 2-Star Standard” artificial turf was laid; a high-tech surface approved by world football’s governing body. At the same time as the new pitch was put in an under-pitch heating system was installed.
Advantages of an artificial pitch:
- Guaranteed to permit matches and training to be held 365 a year. Up to five Red Bull Salzburg teams train at the stadium each day, mostly in winter months. Being able to guarantee each training session can take place is a fantastic opportunity given the harsh Austrian winter.
- Low maintenance costs. Only one employee needs to brush the pitch twice a week and wash it once a month.
- Events of all kinds and half-time entertainment can be offered at the stadium all year round no matter the weather.
More on the pitch:
The accusations that you will graze your leg when sliding on an artificial pitch belong to another era, with the FIFA 2-Star technology guaranteeing no such threat to players’ fitness. The pitch is watered before each training session and match to offer a quick pitch that attracts good attacking football.
A natural pitch was laid on top of the artificial pitch for UEFA EURO 2008. This was removed at the end of the tournament to allow footballers at all levels in Salzburg to enjoy the improved playing chances offered by the artificial pitch.
