SEK2.8bn Swedbank Arena to open in 2012
A major new SEK2.8bn (£265m, EUR301m, US$428m) sports and entertainment complex - Swedbank Arena - is due to open in Solna, near Stockholm, Sweden, next year.
The development will be owned by a partnership consisting of Peab; Fabege; the Municipality of Solna; Jernhusen; and the Swedish Football Association and is the new home of Sweden's national football team. Four architectural firms have contributed to the design of the new facility - Arkitekterna AB Krook and Tjäder; Berg Arkitektkontor AB; Populous; and Roman Wozniak Arkitekter.
Swedbank Arena - named as part of an agreement with Swedbank - will boast a capacity of 50,000 for football matches and up to 65,000 concert-goers and features a retractable roof. It is also hoped that a Swedish football league club will take up residence at the venue, which will offer hotel accommodation adjacent to the complex. A shopping centre is also planned.
A spokesperson said: "[The arena is] able to hold events in almost any sport, whether it's played on grass, ice, wooden flooring or clay. The roof closes, so the arena can be used all year round." Details: www.swedbankarenan.se
Image: Swedbank Arena