Ernst-Happel-Stadion

The stadium was built between 1928 and 1931 to a design by German architect Otto Ernst Schweizer and officially opened on 11 July 1931 under the name Praterstadion, which it kept for 61 years.

Construction and opening

For its era the Praterstadion was architecturally ambitious, blending functional grandeur with classical proportions. The original capacity exceeded 60,000. Its position in the Prater quickly made it a civic landmark of Vienna, drawing fans for both club and international football.

Renaming and Ernst Happel's legacy

In 1992 the stadium was renamed to honour Ernst Happel (1925–1992), one of the most decorated figures in European football history. Born in Vienna, Happel played for Rapid Wien and the Austrian national team. As a coach he led Feyenoord Rotterdam (1970) and Hamburger SV (1983) to European Cup titles, and guided the Netherlands to the 1978 World Cup Final. He died just weeks after his final league championship, and Vienna named its national stadium after him in recognition of an extraordinary career.

Major renovations

The stadium underwent successive upgrades over the decades. Capacity was adjusted downward in line with stricter UEFA safety regulations. Before UEFA EURO 2008 a comprehensive renovation prepared the ground for the final, including expanded roof coverage and modernised spectator facilities.

Notable moments

The stadium hosted the European Cup of Champions Clubs Final in 1964, 1987 and 1990, and the UEFA Cup Final in 1994. The crowning event of its recent history was the EURO 2008 Final on 29 June 2008, when Spain defeated Germany 1-0 in front of 51,428 fans. Fernando Torres scored the only goal in the 33rd minute, launching Spain's golden era of back-to-back EURO titles and a World Cup triumph.

Ernst-Happel-Stadion generates a distinctly national atmosphere on international matchdays. For Austrian football supporters the Prater ground is a place of collective memory spanning generations.

Fan culture

The Austrian national team draws supporters from across the country and matchdays in the Prater carry a strong patriotic charge. The stands fill with red-and-white, and the mood is celebratory and family-oriented. Many supporters have been attending fixtures at the ground since the Praterstadion era, giving the venue a multigenerational significance that goes beyond mere spectacle.

Big matches

The EURO 2008 Final (29 June 2008) is the defining moment in the stadium's modern history. Before a capacity crowd, Fernando Torres struck in the 33rd minute to give Spain a 1-0 victory over Germany, delivering Spain's first European Championship since 1964 and igniting the La Roja era that also yielded the 2010 World Cup and EURO 2012. The ground also witnessed historic European club finals: in 1987 FC Porto defeated Bayern Munich 2-1 here to claim their first European Cup, and in 1990 Benfica beat Marseille 1-0 on the same turf. Each of these evenings wrote a chapter of continental football history in the heart of Vienna.

Getting to Ernst-Happel-Stadion is straightforward thanks to Vienna's excellent public transport network, and the Prater setting makes the matchday experience enjoyable even before kick-off.

How to get there

• Metro (U-Bahn): Line U2, station Stadion — stops directly outside the ground; approximately 10 minutes from the city centre (Karlsplatz)
• Tram: Lines 1 and O serve the Prater area; the Stadion stop is also reachable by tram
• Car: Parking within the Prater is available but fills quickly on big matchdays; public transport is strongly recommended
• On foot: Around 10–15 minutes' pleasant walk through the Prater from Praterstern hub

Tickets and tours

Tickets for Austrian national team fixtures are sold via the ÖFB (Austrian Football Federation) official website. Concert tickets are available through the respective event promoters — the stadium is a popular venue and high-demand shows sell out quickly. Regular public stadium tours are not routinely offered outside of scheduled events.

Visitor tips

• When to arrive: At least 60 minutes before the event; the Prater promenade is ideal for a pre-match walk
• Nearby attractions: The Wiener Riesenrad giant Ferris wheel and the Prater's tree-lined alleys are just minutes away
• Food and drink: Traditional Viennese Würstelstände (sausage stands) and several restaurants are found throughout the Prater; kiosks are available inside the stadium
• What to wear: Red and white for Austrian national team matches