- Address: Råsta Strandväg 1, Solna
- Country: Sweden
- Capacity: 54,000
- Opened: 27 October 2012
- Main use: Football
- Tenants: AIK (football)
Extra stadium info – Strawberry Arena
The venue was named Friends Arena before it became the Strawberry Arena in 2024. It is used for several events, like bandy, concerts, football and motorcycle speedway. The national football team of Sweden played numerous home games at the Strawberry Arena. The first football game at the Strawberry Arena was won by the national football team of Sweden after beating England in front of 49,000 fans. The Swedish football legend Zlatan Ibrahimović scored the first goal of the match.
The 1958 FIFA World Cup and Pelé
In 1958, they reached the final of the prestigious FIFA World Cup for the first time in their history. The 1958 FIFA World Cup took place in Sweden. The national football team of Brazil won the final, which took place in Solna in front of 49,000 fans, 5-2. Edson Arantes do Nascimento, commonly known as Pelé, scored twice in the final. Pelé was elected Athlete of the Century by the IOC. He played for Santos FC from Brazil and the New York Cosmos from the United States during his professional football career.
AIK
AIK, the first Swedish sports club with 100,000 followers on its main social media page, use the Strawberry Arena for home games. The club was founded in 1891. In 1900, they were crowned Swedish football champions for the first time in their history. AIK drew an average attendance of 18,000 in 15 home games in their first-ever domestic top-flight football league season at the Strawberry Arena.
The UEFA Champions League
AIK played their first games in the group stage of the UEFA Champions League in 1999. On 14 September 1999, AIK faced the Spanish football giants FC Barcelona in their first-ever UEFA Champions League match. 30,000 fans showed up for the game, which took place in Sweden. The visitors from Spain won the continental football championship match. Nebojša Novaković scored the only goal for AIK in the game. A few days later, AIK faced the English side Arsenal in their second UEFA Champions League match. Arsenal won the game. Several days later, AIK gathered their first point in the UEFA Champions League after a goalless draw against the Italian side Fiorentina.
