Sweden’s iconic Avicii Arena reopened last weekend following a year-long closure for an extensive redevelopment project. The first phase of the ambitious transformation, spearheaded by ASM Global’s Stockholm Live and the City of Stockholm, was unveiled with a sold-out performance by Swedish synth-pop group KITE, marking a grand return for the historic venue.
A $92 Million Investment in Modernization
The comprehensive renovation saw an investment of approximately $92 million, aimed at elevating the Avicii Arena into a world-class venue for concerts, sports, and live events. Among the key enhancements are brand-new stands and seating, a refreshed food and beverage offering, improved acoustics, and a new retractable interior roof.
The redesigned seating layout has slightly increased the total capacity of the arena, which now accommodates up to 16,500 attendees. The changes also include expanded floor capacity, allowing for more flexibility in hosting larger-scale events.
Enhanced Event Capabilities and Back-of-House Innovations
Beyond spectator experience, the back-of-house redesign features new rigging capacity, faster event transitions, and adaptable staging that enables more ambitious productions. The arena’s transformation also allows for seamless event transitions, particularly from hockey games to concerts, significantly reducing turnaround times and optimizing scheduling for diverse events.
Premium Experiences for Attendees
New premium experiences are set to be introduced, including luxury suites, social lounges, and party booths, catering to guests seeking a more exclusive and immersive event experience. These additions reflect ASM Global’s commitment to reimagining how arenas can offer enhanced hospitality and engagement opportunities.
Industry Leaders Celebrate the Redevelopment
Marie Lindqvist, SVP Operations at Legends and ASM Global Europe, expressed enthusiasm about the modernization, stating, “At Legends and ASM Global, we take pride in pushing the boundaries for what can be done in an arena. The iconic Avicii Arena is a great example of how innovation, engineering, and the passion to elevate the customer experience can transform an arena and take it into the future.”
Tobias Ekman, General Manager of Avicii Arena, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the arena’s historical and cultural significance: “The crown jewel of all arenas in Sweden has, since its opening 35 years ago, always been Avicii Arena. With its unique design and history, this iconic multi-arena has now been modernized and transformed on all levels to ensure that Avicii Arena continues to be the premier concert and sports venue in the Nordics, attracting even more and larger events for at least another 35 years.”
A Venue Steeped in History and Tribute
Originally opened in 1989 as the Stockholm Globe Arena and later known as Ericsson Globe, the venue was renamed Avicii Arena in 2021 to honor the late Swedish DJ Avicii. ASM Global dedicated the renaming to symbolize a commitment to mental health awareness and suicide prevention, using the venue’s global platform to shed light on these important issues.
A Bright Future for Avicii Arena
With its state-of-the-art upgrades and commitment to hosting a wide range of cultural and sporting events, Avicii Arena is poised to remain a central hub for entertainment in the Nordics. The successful reopening marks just the beginning of a new era for the arena, promising an exciting lineup of events and further innovations in the coming years.
