MW_Digital_Edition_29.08.14

www.musicweek.com 29.08.14 Music Week 21
PROFILE ARENAS
SCANDINAVIUM, GOTHENBURG
LIVE
n BY MURRAY STASSEN
Gothenburg’s Scandinavium arena was built
in 1971 to coincide with the 350-year
anniversary of the city. It was built at a cost
of €33 million and, at the time of its completion,
was the biggest indoor arena in the Nordic
countries. A new entrance, restaurant, offices and
boxes were added in 1991. A VIP lounge and
foyer were constructed in 2002, while the lighting
system on the front of the building was upgraded
in 2006. The arena hosts around 110 events per
year and the VIP lounge features three bars, able
to accommodate 550 guests. Also included is a
restaurant with space for 1000 people, a television
studio and 176 computer-controlled searchlights.
Here Music Week speaks to event manager Mayvor
Thorin to find out more about the arena.
What unique selling points does your arena have?
Without a doubt the location. Scandinavium lies
in the heart of the city, with hotels, shopping and
restaurants all within walking distance. Another
important reason why we are able to host great
international sporting championships is our
unique ‘all under one roof’ event concept. The
concept consists of the Scandinavium, the Swedish
Exhibition and Congress Centre and the in-house
Gothia Towers Hotel. The venue has a total area
of approximately 46,000 square metres and you
can easily walk between the three different venues
through several indoor passages. Together with
“The arena market
in Sweden is facing
significantly tougher
[internal] competition
from arenas in Stockholm,
Solna and Malmö“
MAYVOR THORIN, SCANDINAVIUM
our partners we are actively working to find other
events that can benefit from our ‘all under one roof’
concept, as well as designing our own events.
What sort of event is the Scandinavium arena
mostly used for?
The most common events taking place in the
Scandinavium are ice hockey games. We love
ice hockey but we also strive for a good mix of
different events during a year, both great concerts
as well as international championships. Last year
the venue arranged the European Indoor Athletics
Championships and this year the Scandinavium
is hosting the biggest international championship
taking place in Sweden in 2014 – the IFF World
Floorball Championships.
What have been the major changes to the arena
market in Sweden in recent years?
The arena market in Sweden is facing significantly
tougher [internal] competition, with new arenas
constructed in Stockholm in 2013, Solna in 2012
and Malmö in 2008.
ABOVE
Scandinavium:
2014 will see
Gothenburg’s
arena host
performances
by the likes of
Elton John and
André Rieu as
well as events
such as Disney
On Ice
What challenges does the arena currently face?
The city of Gothenburg is considering a new
indoor arena designed for 16,000 spectators close
to the Scandinavium and the event district. In order
to create the best conditions for a new arena, the
city will invite both external and local partners to
come up with good ideas for it. It is as much about
urban development as is about arena development.
So, [the construction of] a new arena is at least ten
years away.
Therefore, the Scandinavium’s challenge is to
develop and expand the skyboxes, the restaurants
and other commercial areas within existing walls.
A ten-year investment plan is currently underway
and this year will see several smaller projects take
place to improve the overall customer experience.
GENERAL INFO:
Constructed
1971
Capacity
12,000 sitting
14,000 standing
Size
46,000 sqm
Key contact for business opportunities
Mayvor Thorin, event manager
mayvor.thorin@gotevent.se