- Address: Meiereistraße 7, Vienna
- Country: Austria
- Capacity: 50,000
- Opened: 11 July 1931
- Main use: Football
- Tenants:
Extra stadium info – Ernst-Happel-Stadion
The construction of the Ernst-Happel-Stadion started in 1929. The venue, which was known as the Praterstadion, is currently named after Ernst Franz Hermann Happel. He was a football player and coach who was born in the city of Vienna. Happel, who started his professional football career with Rapid Wien, played numerous matches for the national football team of Austria. Rapid Wien and their arch-rivals Austria Wien played numerous home games at the Ernst-Happel-Stadion.
The national football team of Austria
In 1934, the national football team of Austria played in the second edition of the prestigious FIFA World Cup. They finished fourth place in the world championship for national football teams that year. The national football team of Austria played numerous home games at the Ernst-Happel-Stadion. The stadium’s record attendance was set in 1960, when 92,000 people showed up for a football match between Austria and the former USSR.
The European championship for national football teams
The national football team of Austria played three European championship games at the Ernst-Happel-Stadion in 2008. They lost the first one against Croatia. The second game ended in a 1-1 draw against Poland and Germany won the third match. The stadium hosted the 2008 UEFA European Football Championship final between the national football teams of Germany and Spain. A capacity crowd showed up for the final, which was won by Spain.
The European championship for football clubs
Several football clubs were crowned European champions at the Ernst-Happel-Stadion. In 1964, the venue hosted its first-ever final of the European championship for football clubs. The Italian side FC Internazionale Milano were crowned European football champions for the first time in their history after beating the Spanish side Real Madrid 3-1. 71,000 spectators showed up for the game. It was the ninth final of the tournament.
