Parken Stadium

Parken's roots extend back to 1911, though the modern arena dates from a transformative reconstruction at the turn of the 1990s. The ground's history is deeply intertwined with the story of both Danish club and international football.

Construction and opening

The original Københavns Idrætspark — literally Copenhagen Sports Park — opened on this site in 1911 and served Danish football and athletics throughout the 20th century. By the late 1980s the old stadium was considered obsolete. Demolition and reconstruction took place from 1990 to 1992, and the new Parken was officially inaugurated on 11 September 1992. The name Parken (The Park) references the surrounding Fælledparken. At opening, it was among the most modern football stadiums in northern Europe, featuring a distinctive retractable roof.

Key changes and naming history

The stadium has operated under several names reflecting its commercial history: Københavns Idrætspark (historic, pre-1992), Parken (1992 onwards), Telia Parken (2014–2020, naming rights held by the Swedish-Finnish telecom group Telia), and Parken again from 2020 to the present. Ongoing technical upgrades have kept the facility competitive with newer European stadiums.

Notable moments

Parken entered European football history when it hosted the 1994 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup Final on 4 May 1994, with Arsenal facing Parma — the English side lost 0:1 to the Italians. F.C. Copenhagen won their first post-restructuring Danish championship in 1993, cementing the club's new identity at this stadium. At UEFA EURO 2020 (played in 2021), Parken hosted three Danish group-stage matches, including the unforgettable fixture against Finland on 12 June 2021, when Christian Eriksen suffered a cardiac arrest on the pitch and was saved by the rapid response of medical staff — an event that transcended sport.

Parken has a well-earned reputation for intense and melodic atmospheres, particularly for national team matches. Danish supporters are among the most warm and passionate in Scandinavia, and the stadium becomes a fortress on major occasions.

Fan culture

F.C. Copenhagen boasts the largest fanbase in Danish football, and their ultras group Sektion 12 drives the atmosphere from the north stand with orchestrated chanting and choreography that rank among the most organised in the Nordic region. The rivalry with Brøndby IF — the Copenhagen Derby or Byderby — is the fiercest fixture in Danish club football. The national team enjoys enormous popular support; Denmark's reputation for overachievement since their shock 1992 European Championship win in Sweden means that matches at Parken carry an air of genuine belief.

Big matches

UEFA EURO 2020 produced the most emotionally charged period in Parken's modern history. The match against Finland on 12 June 2021 was interrupted after Christian Eriksen's cardiac arrest, resumed after his stabilisation, and ended in a 1:2 Danish defeat — but the human story overshadowed the result entirely. Denmark then went on a remarkable run through the tournament — winning four consecutive matches after the group stage exit scare — with Parken's supporters at the heart of a city-wide celebration. The 1994 Cup Winners' Cup Final brought European royalty to Copenhagen, placing Parken on the continental football map.

Visiting Parken is one of the most straightforward stadium experiences in European football — Copenhagen is exceptionally well-organised, safe, and English-friendly, and the stadium is well-connected to the city's public transport network.

How to get there

• By S-tog (suburban train): station Østerport is approximately 10 minutes on foot from the stadium
• By metro: Trianglen station (Line M1/M2) is roughly 12 minutes on foot; the Metro runs 24 hours
• By bus: routes 14 and 15 serve stops directly adjacent to the stadium
• From Copenhagen Airport (CPH): metro to the city centre, then S-tog or bus; total journey approximately 30–40 minutes
• By car: parking in the surrounding neighbourhood is limited on matchdays; public transport is strongly preferred

Tickets and tours

Tickets for F.C. Copenhagen league and cup matches are available via the club's official website. Tickets for the Denmark national team are sold through the Danish Football Union (DBU) website. Most FCK league matches have tickets available, but derbies against Brøndby and major national team qualifiers sell out quickly — advance booking is strongly recommended. Guided stadium tours are available through the F.C. Copenhagen official website.

Visitor tips

• When to arrive: at least 45 minutes before kick-off
• Weather: Danish weather is unpredictable year-round; the retractable roof is closed for most winter matches, but a weatherproof layer is always advisable
• Food and drink: the Østerbro neighbourhood offers Danish bistros, international restaurants, and bakeries within walking distance; standard matchday concessions are available inside the ground
• Language: English is spoken fluently throughout Copenhagen — communication is never an issue for international visitors