Avicii Arena
Construction began in 1986 and took two and a half years to complete. The building stands as the largest spherical structure on Earth with a diameter of 110 meters. Its inner height reaches 85 meters inside the steel, concrete, and glass shell. Architects from Berg Arkitektkontor AB designed the support system using a MERO space structure. This engineering feat allowed the arena to hold 13,850 spectators for ice hockey games. It can also seat up to 16,000 people for concerts and shows. The upper area contains 40 VIP boxes and a restaurant overlooking the floor below.
The venue opened on the 19th of February 1989 under the name Stockholm Globe Arena. Local residents simply called it Globen because the shape resembled a globe. In 2009 Swedish telecommunications company Ericsson acquired naming rights. The facility became known as the Ericsson Globe that same year. A decision arrived in 2021 to rename the arena Avicii Arena. This change honored the late Swedish DJ who died in 2018. To mark the new identity the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra recorded For a Better Day. Fourteen-year-old singer Ella Tiritiello provided vocals for this tribute performance.
Ice hockey serves as the primary use for the arena since its opening. AIK Djurgårdens IF and Hammarby IF all played home games here historically. Huddinge IK joined them with three home games during 1993 alone. AC Camelen played one game in 1998 within the sixth level league before 92 spectators watched. An international friendly match between Hammarby IF and Jokerit took place weeks before the grand opening. Players were only 12 years old at the time born in 1977. The venue hosted the Ice Hockey World Championships multiple times over decades. It also held Men's European Volleyball Championships shortly after inauguration.
Pink Floyd performed an A Momentary Lapse of Reason Tour inside the sphere. Bon Jovi followed with their New Jersey Syndicate Tour later that year. Depeche Mode brought the World Violation Tour to the venue in 1990. U2 returned with the Zoo TV Tour and Elevation Tour across different years. Metallica played Wherever We May Roam Tour while Guns N Roses toured Use Your Illusion. Roxette appeared twice with Brainpool joining for Crash Boom Bang! Tour. Beyoncé performed The Beyoncé Experience and I Am... World Tour separately. Linkin Park played Minutes to Midnight World Tour in 2007. Justin Timberlake brought FutureSex/LoveShow to Stockholm during his tour cycle.
The arena represents the Sun within the Sweden Solar System model. This scale model spans the entire country as the world's largest version. A small aluminum cottage measuring 3 meters wide sat atop the globe on the 26th of May 2009. Artist Mikael Genberg placed it there to symbolize high technology meeting traditional rural life. Falu red paint covered the walls with white trim around windows. The house stayed until October 2009 when removal occurred. Skyview opened in February 2010 as an exterior inclined elevator system. Two spherical gondolas carry up to 12 passengers each along parallel tracks on the south side.
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Common questions
When did construction begin on the Avicii Arena?
Construction began in 1986 and took two and a half years to complete. The venue officially opened on the 19th of February 1989 under the name Stockholm Globe Arena.
Who designed the support system for the Avicii Arena?
Architects from Berg Arkitektkontor AB designed the support system using a MERO space structure. This engineering feat allowed the arena to hold 13,850 spectators for ice hockey games.
Why was the Avicii Arena renamed in 2021?
A decision arrived in 2021 to rename the arena Avicii Arena to honor the late Swedish DJ who died in 2018. To mark the new identity the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra recorded For a Better Day with vocals by fourteen-year-old singer Ella Tiritiello.
What is the diameter of the spherical Avicii Arena building?
The building stands as the largest spherical structure on Earth with a diameter of 110 meters. Its inner height reaches 85 meters inside the steel, concrete, and glass shell.
How many passengers can each gondola carry at the Skyview attraction?
Two spherical gondolas carry up to 12 passengers each along parallel tracks on the south side. Skyview opened in February 2010 as an exterior inclined elevator system.