3Arena (Tele2 Arena)

3Arena was conceived to give Stockholm's two largest football clubs a modern, purpose-built home capable of meeting twenty-first-century standards for both supporter experience and European competition.

Construction and opening

The project was designed by Arup, an international engineering practice with credits including the Sydney Opera House and Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Construction ran from 2011 to 2013, with the stadium officially opening in 2013. The most technically notable feature is the retractable roof, which allows matches and events to proceed year-round despite Stockholm's challenging autumn and winter weather. The exterior design echoes the industrial heritage of the surrounding Slakthusområdet.

Naming history

The arena opened as Tele2 Arena, named after the Swedish telecommunications operator Tele2. In 2024 a new sponsorship agreement was concluded, and from 2025 the venue has carried the name 3Arena, after the British-Irish telecoms brand Three.

Notable moments

From its first season the ground has hosted the Stockholm derby between Hammarby IF and Djurgårdens IF, one of the most intense rivalries in Scandinavian football. In 2015, Hammarby IF celebrated their return to Allsvenskan after more than a decade in lower divisions at this ground, triggering some of the most emotional scenes in the stadium's short history.

3Arena generates a unique atmosphere driven by the fact that two rival clubs share the same ground — every match carries a heightened edge, and derby days are among the loudest sporting occasions in Scandinavia.

Fan culture

Hammarby IF is one of the most cohesive supporter communities in Swedish football. Their fans — collectively known as Bajen — fill their designated stand with relentless chanting and create a wall of noise audible well outside the arena. Djurgårdens IF, historically the most decorated Stockholm club, bring elaborate visual displays: tifo, banners, and scarves in royal blue and white that transform their end of the ground. When the two sets of supporters meet for the Stockholm derby, the atmosphere ranks among the most intense in all of northern European football.

Big matches

The Stockholm derby at 3Arena is considered essential viewing for any football fan visiting the Swedish capital. The retractable roof, closed for evening fixtures and cold-weather matches, encloses the noise and amplifies it dramatically when the ground is at capacity. European nights for both clubs — Hammarby in the UEFA Conference League and Djurgårdens in the UEFA Europa League — regularly attract visiting supporters from abroad and add an international dimension to the stadium's growing reputation.

3Arena is well connected and straightforward to reach; Stockholm's public transport network makes it one of the more accessible football venues in Scandinavia.

How to get there

• Metro (Tunnelbana): Line T17 (red line), station Globen — direct from central Stockholm (T-Centralen) in approximately 10 minutes; the stadium is a roughly 10-minute walk from the station
• Bus: Several city bus routes serve the Slakthusområdet area; services are reinforced on matchdays
• Car: Good motorway access via the E4/E20; parking is available nearby but limited — public transport is strongly recommended

Tickets and tours

Match tickets for Hammarby IF and Djurgårdens IF are sold through the respective clubs' official websites. Derby fixtures typically sell out one to two weeks in advance. Stadium tours are available — details on dates and pricing can be found through the club websites or the arena's own management.

Visitor tips

• When to arrive: At least 60 minutes before kick-off, especially for derby matches where turnstile queues are long
• Weather: The retractable roof closes in rain, but Stockholm autumns are cold — warm layers are essential for evening fixtures from September onwards
• Food and drink: Concessions inside the arena are well stocked; the regenerated Slakthusområdet district around the stadium also has an expanding range of restaurants and street food markets