- Address: Stadionplatz 1, Graz
- Country: Austria
- Capacity: 16,000
- Opened: 9 July 1997
- Main use: Football
- Tenants: GAK (football), Sturm Graz (football)
Extra stadium info – Merkur Arena
The stadium opened as the Arnold-Schwarzenegger-Stadion. In 2005, an intense discussion began in Graz about what to do with the stadium that bore the name of Arnold Schwarzenegger after he did not stop the execution of Stanley Williams as the governour of California. The world famous Arnold Schwarzenegger revoked the city of Graz’s right to the use of his name, which ended the debate.
The 2011 IFAF World Championship
The Merkur Arena was one of the 2011 IFAF World Championship venues. The American football tournament took place in Graz, Innsbruck and Vienna. Australia, Austria, Canada, the French Republic, Germany, Japan, the United Mexican States and the United States participated in the 2011 IFAF World Championship. Japan won the first-ever IFAF World Championship game at the Merkur Arena after beating Austria 24-6. The United States won the tournament after winning against Canada. The final took place in Vienna in front of 20,000 spectators.
GAK and Sturm Graz
GAK and Sturm Graz use the Merkur Arena for home games. Sturm Graz won the top-flight football league of Austria in 1998 for the first time in their history. They gathered 81 points in 36 league games after winning 24 of the 36 matches. Nine games ended in a draw and three games ended in a loss. One year later, Sturm Graz won their second league title. They drew an average home attendance of 10,000 during that league season. In 2011, Sturm Graz won their third domestic top-flight league title. GAK were crowned football champions of Austria in 2004 for the first time in their history. They gathered 72 points in 36 league games during that football season. GAK won 21 of the 36 league matches. Nine games ended in a draw and they lost six games.