Ericsson Globe

Ericsson Globe
Holger.Ellgaard · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Name	Ericsson Globe
Location	Stockholm, Sweden
Owner	Stockholm Globe Arenas AB
Opened	1989
Capacity	16,000 (concerts)
Architect	Berg Arkitektkontor
Height	85 m
Diameter	110 m

Ericsson Globe is a large indoor arena and landmark located in Stockholm, Sweden. It functions as a multi-purpose venue for ice hockey, concerts, basketball, and large-scale televised events, and is notable for being the largest hemispherical building on Earth at the time of completion. The arena is closely associated with Swedish sports clubs and international event organizers, and it forms part of the larger Stockholm Globe City complex near Hammarby Sjöstad and Södermalm.

History

The arena opened in 1989 as part of preparations that followed Stockholm’s ambitions to host international sporting and cultural events, influenced by the success of venues such as the Mediolanum Forum and Madison Square Garden in establishing multi-use arenas in urban cores. Early tenants included professional ice hockey clubs and event promoters staging tours by global artists like ABBA-related productions and international pop acts. Over the decades the venue hosted major tournaments tied to the International Ice Hockey Federation and served as a site for the Melodifestivalen selection shows that feed the Eurovision Song Contest, linking the arena to both national and pan-European entertainment circuits.

Architecture and Design

The building was designed by the Swedish firm Berg Arkitektkontor with structural engineering input comparable to projects such as the O2 Arena (London) and the Staples Center. Its spherical geometry—85 metres in height and 110 metres in diameter—creates a continuous interior bowl optimized for sightlines used in ice hockey and arena concerts. The exterior cladding and internal circulation systems reflect Scandinavian approaches to materiality and crowd management seen in other Nordic projects like Helsinki Ice Hall and the Tele2 Arena. The arena’s integration with surrounding urban infrastructure echoes planning patterns employed in Glasgow and Copenhagen redevelopment schemes, balancing transit access with commercial amenities.

Events and Uses

The venue regularly stages fixtures for top-tier Swedish ice hockey competitions, including games involving clubs affiliated with the Swedish Hockey League. It has hosted international competitions sanctioned by the International Ice Hockey Federation and has been a anchor site for municipal cultural programming alongside touring productions by artists associated with labels such as Universal Music Group and promoters like Live Nation. Televised galas, award shows, and sporting spectacles—paralleling events at venues like Wembley Stadium and Olympic Stadium (Montreal)—have made the arena a preferred choice for broadcasters including SVT and commercial networks. Annual events have included the national selection show Melodifestivalen and large-scale conventions tied to entertainment, technology, and corporate branding.

Renovations and Upgrades

Since opening, the arena has undergone periodic refurbishments to modernize technical systems, seating, and accessibility in line with standards promoted by organizations such as the European Union for event safety and by sporting federations like the IIHF. Upgrades included installation of advanced audio-visual rigs similar to those used at contemporary arenas such as the Barclays Center, replacement of seating to improve sightlines and comfort, and enhancements to VIP and press facilities to meet demands from international media events like Eurovision Song Contest delegations and major concert tours. Energy and environmental retrofits drew on Swedish national initiatives and partnerships with municipal energy providers in Stockholm County to improve operational efficiency.

Transportation and Access

Positioned within Stockholm’s southern urban area, the arena benefits from multiple modes of public transit, reflecting multimodal access strategies employed for venues in metropolises like Berlin and Oslo. Nearby services include commuter rail and metro connections that link to hubs such as Stockholm Central Station and local tram and bus routes serving Södermalm and adjacent districts. Pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure connects the site to waterfront promenades and mixed-use developments like Hammarby Sjöstad, while parking and drop-off facilities accommodate private vehicles and tour buses for visiting artists and teams.

Category:Buildings and structures in Stockholm Category:Indoor arenas in Sweden Category:Sports venues completed in 1989