Strawberry Arena

Strawberry Arena, formerly known as Friends Arena, is a modern multi-purpose stadium with a unique retractable roof. Located in Stockholm, Sweden (specifically in the Solna municipality, near the Swedish capital), this arena proudly holds the title of the national stadium and is one of the most advanced sports venues in the world. It hosts not only exciting sporting competitions but also grand concerts and other large-scale events.

One of the hallmarks of Strawberry Arena is its facade, which can change its appearance thanks to a lighting system supporting 17 million color schemes—for example, during matches of the Swedish national team, it is lit in blue and yellow. In the very heart of the stadium, suspended under the roof, is a giant media cube with an area of 240 square meters, ensuring spectators don't miss a single detail. For maximum visitor comfort, 647 LED screens are installed throughout the complex.

Strawberry Arena meets high UEFA standards with a Category 4 rating. Its natural grass field measures 105 by 68 meters, perfectly suited for international-level matches. The construction of this technological marvel cost approximately 2.3 billion Swedish kronor (equivalent to about 205 million euros), highlighting the scale and ambition of the project.

For the most up-to-date information regarding upcoming events, ticket purchases, opening hours, and other details about Strawberry Arena, it is recommended to visit the official website. There, you can find all the necessary contact details and answers to your questions.

A visit to Strawberry Arena is, above all, an opportunity to plunge into the world of major sports and vibrant entertainment. The arena is the home stadium for the well-known football club AIK and also hosts matches for the Swedish Men's National Football Team. Therefore, the main activity for visitors is watching thrilling football matches at both national and international levels, where you can fully experience the fans' passion and the highest level of play.

Thanks to its unique design with a retractable roof, Strawberry Arena is not limited to football. The venue transforms easily, allowing for events on various types of surfaces: from grass and gravel to ice and parquet. This means that year-round, regardless of weather conditions, you can attend concerts by world stars, impressive shows, and other major entertainment and sporting events. It is always worth checking the arena's event calendar before your trip to Stockholm so you don't miss an interesting event.

At Strawberry Arena, special attention is paid to spectator comfort. Every seat in the stands offers excellent visibility of the action on the pitch or stage. Modern communication technologies also contribute to a fully immersive experience. The arena has a track record of hosting top-tier events, including the 2017 UEFA Europa League Final and matches of the 2013 UEFA Women's Championship, guaranteeing visitors an unforgettable experience with every visit.

Strawberry Arena is located in the municipality of Solna, which is part of the Stockholm urban area. Thanks to its location, the arena can be reached in several convenient ways, both from the center of the Swedish capital and from other districts.

One of the most preferred options is public transport. Since the arena is located near a railway station, trains and commuter rail are excellent choices. It is recommended to check schedules and routes leading to Solna station or the stops closest to the arena in advance. From the station, the stadium can usually be reached on foot in a short amount of time.

Additionally, Strawberry Arena can be reached by bus. Stockholm has a well-developed network of bus routes, and there are certainly lines passing in the immediate vicinity of the stadium, especially on major event days. Information about specific route numbers and stops is best checked on local transport authority websites or in mobile applications.

For those who prefer comfort and speed, a taxi is always an option. You can order a car from the center of Stockholm, the airport, or any other location convenient for you. While a taxi ride will be more expensive than public transport, it allows you to reach the arena as quickly as possible and without transfers.

The history of Strawberry Arena began with ambitious plans to create a new national stadium for Sweden. Initially, the possibility of building next to the existing Ericsson Globe indoor arena in Stockholm was considered. However, on April 1, 2006, the Swedish Football Association (SvFF) decided to build the new arena in Solna. This modern complex replaced the legendary Råsunda Stadium, which had served as the country's primary football venue for many years. After the new arena opened, Råsunda was demolished and replaced by residential and office buildings.

The grand opening of the arena, then under a different name, took place on October 27, 2012, and was a truly landmark event. The ceremony was attended by distinguished guests, including Crown Princess Victoria and her husband, and the Prime Minister, along with approximately 50,000 spectators. A spectacular show titled "Svenska Ögonblick" (Swedish Moments) was broadcast live on SVT and attracted more than 1.7 million viewers, highlighting the national significance of the new stadium.

The history of the arena's naming is also quite remarkable. Initially, Swedbank acquired the naming rights, and the stadium was to be called Swedbank Arena. However, in 2012, the bank decided to transfer its naming rights to the non-profit organization Friends, which works to combat school bullying and which Swedbank actively supports. Thus, the arena received the name Friends Arena, by which it was known for many years. Most recently, on January 13, 2024, a new sponsorship agreement was signed with the Norwegian hotel company Strawberry, and since July 12, 2024, the venue has officially been called Strawberry Arena.

When planning a visit to Strawberry Arena, especially if it coincides with an event like a thrilling football match or a concert by a world star, expect it to take up a significant portion of your time. The event itself, including intermissions and preparations, usually lasts 2-3 hours, but to fully enjoy the atmosphere—to arrive early, look around, perhaps visit the fan zone or buy souvenirs, and then leave the arena calmly afterward—it is better to set aside at least 4-5 hours.

If your goal is a more detailed look at Strawberry Arena itself as an architectural and sporting site, regardless of any ongoing events, the time needed for exploration will be different. Some large stadiums offer guided tours that allow you to look "behind the scenes"—into the locker rooms, press centers, the stands, and even the pitch itself. Such a tour, if available at Strawberry Arena (we recommend checking this on the official website), usually takes about 1.5-2 hours. Even if tours are not being held, taking a look at the arena from the outside and exploring the surrounding area to appreciate its scale and design can take about 1 hour.

Thus, for a "full immersion" into the atmosphere of Strawberry Arena during an event, you will need to allocate half a day. If you are planning a special tour or simply want to get a general impression of this landmark Stockholm structure, 1-2 hours may be quite sufficient. In any case, advance planning and checking for up-to-date information will help make your visit as rewarding as possible.

The opening hours of Strawberry Arena depend directly on the schedule of events being held, whether they are football matches, concerts, or other shows. As a rule, the arena opens its doors to visitors several hours before the event begins. Since specific hours vary, it is highly recommended to check the official Strawberry Arena website or current event listings in Stockholm for accurate information on the start time and duration of the event you are interested in.

Given the popularity of events at Strawberry Arena, it is recommended to purchase tickets in advance, especially for Sweden national team matches or concerts by famous performers. The arena operates year-round, hosting events across all seasons. For information on the possibility of visiting the arena outside of scheduled events, for example, as part of a guided tour (if offered), you should also consult official sources.

A visit to such an iconic place as Strawberry Arena is a highlight in itself. However, to make your trip to Stockholm even more fulfilling and memorable, it is worth taking the time to explore the surroundings of this famous venue.

The area around Strawberry Arena and the nearby parts of Stockholm offer a variety of leisure options—from shopping centers and parks to cultural sites. Getting to know them will allow you to dive deeper into the city's atmosphere and discover interesting places that will complement your impressions of the main event at the arena.