Imagine this: A roaring crowd. The electric anticipation before a match. That’s Parken.
Parken, now known as Parken – Connected by 3, is more than just a stadium. It is a landmark in Copenhagen’s Indre Østerbro district. This stadium is home to F.C. Copenhagen and the Denmark national football team.
Let’s step back in time. Parken was built between 1990 and 1992. It replaced the former Denmark national stadium, Idrætsparken. The last match at Idrætsparken was in November 1990. Denmark lost to Yugoslavia in a Euro 1992 qualifier. In September 1992, Parken opened with a friendly against Germany, which Denmark lost.
Investors Baltica Finans A/S rebuilt the stadium for 640 million Danish kroner. In return, the Danish Football Association guaranteed that all national matches would be played at Parken for 15 years. In 1998, F.C. Copenhagen bought the stadium for 138 million DKK.
Parken has a retractable roof. It can hold 38,190 people for football games. For concerts, it can hold up to 55,000.
Parken received a 4-star rating from UEFA in 1993. This allowed Parken to host Europa League finals. However, it can’t host the Champions League final. That requires 50,000 seats.
The stadium has seen its share of drama. In 2007, a UEFA Euro 2008 qualifier fan attack occurred here.
In 2014, Telia provided a new Wi-Fi solution. The stadium was renamed Telia Parken. But in 2020, the name reverted to Parken.
Parken was a host venue for UEFA Euro 2020. It hosted three group stage matches and a round of 16 match. A memorable event occurred during a Euro 2020 match. Danish player Christian Eriksen suffered a cardiac arrest on the field.
Beyond football, Parken is a concert venue. Many famous musicians have performed here. Michael Jackson’s 1997 concert had 60,000 attendees. In 2017, Volbeat was the first Danish band to sell out the venue.
Also, Geranium, a three Michelin star restaurant, is located on the eighth floor of Parken.
Parken has undergone several renovations. The main stand was preserved from the old stadium in 1992. In 2007-2009, the old main stand was replaced.
So, next time you’re in Copenhagen, remember Parken. It is a place where sports, music, and dining come together. It is a stadium with a retractable roof and many stories to tell.