Bolt Arena

The Bolt Arena (named Telia 5G -areena until January 2020,[1][2] named Sonera Stadium until April 2017,[3] and Finnair Stadium until August 2010;[4] also known as Töölön jalkapallostadion, "Töölö football stadium") is a football stadium in Helsinki, Finland. It is named after the labour hire company Bolt.Works.

Bolt Arena
Bolt Arena in 2008
Full nameBolt Arena
LocationTöölö, Helsinki, Finland
Coordinates60°11′15″N 024°55′21″E
OwnerCity of Helsinki
Capacity10,770
Field size105 × 68 m
SurfaceArtificial turf
Construction
Built1999–2000
Opened2000
Tenants
Helsingin Jalkapalloklubi (2000–present)
HIFK Fotboll
Finland national football team (selected matches)

History

The stadium was inaugurated in 2000. It has a capacity of 10,770 spectators. Originally the ground had a natural grass pitch, but it was soon replaced with an artificial one because the grass couldn't get enough sun light. Since then the stadium has seen numerous artificial playing surfaces that have been gradually replaced. The most recent artificial pitch was installed in April 2015.

The ground is located next to the Helsinki Olympic Stadium.

It is the home stadium of HJK, HIFK, and is also used for some friendlies by the Finnish national team. It hosted the 2003 FIFA U-17 World Championship as Töölö Stadium.

The stadium was named as one of the stadiums that host the 2009 UEFA Women's Championship. For that tournament, the artificial turf covering the field was temporarily replaced with grass.

In the 2016 domestic league season, tenants HJK Helsinki drew the highest average home attendance (5,101).[5]

On 15 November 2019, Finland national football team managed to qualify to the first major tournament, UEFA Euro 2020, in their history after defeating Liechtenstein 3–0 at this stadium.[6]

The specifications of the stadium
  • Field size: 105 × 68 metres (UEFA recommendation)
  • Floodlights: 1500 lux
  • Capacity of 10,770 spectators, all stands are covered
  • A warming system under the pitch
  • discussion about expanding to 25,000 seats

References
  1. "Töölön jalkapallostadion on nyt Bolt Arena". HJK Helsinki. January 29, 2020.
  2. "Töölö football stadium becomes Bolt Arena". HJK Helsinki. January 29, 2020.
  3. Virtanen, Ari (3 April 2017). "Sonera-stadionista tuli nyt Telia 5G -areena – Mitä mieltä olet uudesta nimestä?". Helsingin Sanomat. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
  4. Johannes Laitila (10 August 2010). "Töölön jalkapallostadion sai uuden nimen". Helsingin Sanomat. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 10 August 2010.
  5. "EFS Attendances". www.european-football-statistics.co.uk. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
  6. "Finland 3–0 Liechtenstein". BBC. 15 November 2019.

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