Lilleküla Stadium

The Lilleküla Stadium (known as A. Le Coq Arena for sponsorship reasons) is a football stadium in Tallinn, Estonia. It is the home ground of football clubs Flora and Levadia, and the Estonia national football team. With a capacity of 14,336, it is the largest football stadium in Estonia.

Lilleküla Stadium
UEFA
AddressJalgpalli 21
LocationTallinn, Estonia
Coordinates59°25′16.65″N 24°43′55.38″E
OwnerEstonian Football Association
OperatorEstonian Football Association
Capacity14,336[1]
Field size105 by 68 metres (344 by 223 ft)[2]
Construction
Broke ground2000
Opened2 June 2001
Expanded2016–2018
Construction cost131 million EEK (2002)
ArchitectHaldo Oravas
Tenants
FC Flora (2001–present)
FCI Levadia Tallinn (2019–present)
Estonia national football team (2001–present)

Lilleküla Stadium was the venue for the 2018 UEFA Super Cup and the 2012 UEFA European U19 Championship.

History
Lilleküla Stadium during Estonia friendly against Brazil in 2009

In July 1998, FC Flora football club submitted a planning application to Tallinn City Council, requesting permission to build a new stadium on wasteland between railway lines in Kitseküla, close to the border with neighbouring Lilleküla.[3] Receiving the council's approval, Flora signed a 99-year lease on the estate and construction began in October 2000.[4] The stadium was designed by Haldo Oravas.

The stadium was officially opened 2 June 2001, with a 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification match between Estonia and the Netherlands. The match saw Estonia's Andres Oper become the first player to score at the new stadium when he scored in the 65th minute, with the full-time result being a 4–2 victory for the Netherlands.

In January 2002, A. Le Coq bought naming rights for the stadium.

Lilleküla Stadium hosted the 2018 UEFA Super Cup match between Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid

During the 2012 UEFA European Under-19 Championship, the stadium hosted six out of 15 tournament matches, including the final, which saw Spain defeat Greece 1–0.

In 2012, Flora completed the transfer ownership of the Lilleküla Football Complex, including Lilleküla Stadium, to the Estonian Football Association.

In September 2016, it was announced that the stadium would host the 2018 UEFA Super Cup. In preparation for the match, the stadium's capacity was increased from 10,000 to 15,000.[5] The 2018 UEFA Super Cup match between the 2017–18 UEFA Champions League winners Real Madrid and the 2017–18 UEFA Europa League winners Atlético Madrid was held on 15 August 2018, with Atlético Madrid winning 4–2 in extra time.[6]

Lilleküla Football Complex

Lilleküla Stadium is part of the Lilleküla Football Complex, which also includes two grass surface pitches, two artificial turf pitches of which one is the 1,198-seat Sportland Arena, and an indoor football hall named EJL Jalgpallihall.[1]

Music
Aerosmith concert held at Lilleküla Stadium Arena in 2007

Aside from football and other sporting events, several concerts have been held at Lilleküla Stadium. Lenny Kravitz performed in 2005 and Aerosmith in 2007.[1]

  • A. Le Coq Arena during renovation in 2017
    A. Le Coq Arena during renovation in 2017
  • A. Le Coq Arena hosting Real Madrid - Atlético Madrid UEFA Super Cup final in 2018
    A. Le Coq Arena hosting Real Madrid - Atlético Madrid UEFA Super Cup final in 2018
  • Real Madrid - Atlético Madrid at A. Le Coq Arena
    Real Madrid - Atlético Madrid at A. Le Coq Arena
  • A. Le Coq Arena during December 2021
    A. Le Coq Arena during December 2021

References
  1. "A. Le Coq Arena" (in Estonian). Estonian Football Association. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  2. "A. Le Coq Arena staadion". Eesti spordiregister (in Estonian). Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  3. "Prügimäest saab staadion" [Waste ground will become a stadium]. Postimees (in Estonian). 25 July 1998.
  4. "FC Flora rajab Lillekülasse jalgpallistaadioni" [FC Flora will build a football stadium in Lilleküla]. Eesti Päevaleht (in Estonian). 19 October 2000.
  5. "Tallinn to stage 2018 UEFA Super Cup". UEFA.com. 8 August 2017.
  6. "Atlético win UEFA Super Cup in extra time". UEFA.com. 16 August 2018.
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