Friends Arena, Solna
Monday, October 1, 2012
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Opened in 2012, the Friends Arena is the successor to the nearby Råsunda as the national stadium.
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Capacity: 50,000
Opened: 2012
• Opened on 14 November 2012 with a friendly between Sweden and England, the Friends Arena (named after an anti-bullying campaign) is the successor to the nearby Råsunda as the national stadium.
• The venue boasts a retractable roof which allows it to become a 67,500-capacity indoor concert hall.
• Both the Swedish men's national team and men's club AIK are moving there from the Råsunda, with other events at the Friends Arena to include the Swedish Cup final, the Swedish Bandy Championship, the Scandinavian FIM Speedway Grand Prix and Sweden's Eurovision qualifier.
• The new arena will be the setting for the UEFA Women's EURO 2013 final on 28 July. Visiting the stadium prior to the draw, UEFA President Michel Plaini said: "I was delighted to be invited to visit the fantastic new stadium in Solna. The state-of-the-art Friends Arena is a great investment in Swedish football. The decision by the Swedish Football Association to host the UEFA Women's EURO final at this stadium shows the commitment it has to the tournament."
• Solna itself is a municipality to the north of Stockholm, home to around 60,000 people.