Hägglunds Arena
Indoor arena in Örnsköldsvik, home of Modo Hockey.
Hägglunds Arena is an indoor sporting arena located in Örnsköldsvik, Sweden. It is notable as the home arena of the Modo Hockey ice hockey team, replacing the older Kempehallen, and for hosting major events such as the 2008 European Curling Championships and the 2019 IIHF World U18 Championships.
Quick Facts
- Former Names
- Swedbank Arena (2006–2009) / Fjällräven Center (2010–2021)
- Location
- Örnsköldsvik, Sweden
- Groundbreaking
- 14 September 2004
- Opened
- 26 August 2006
- Owner
- Evenemangsarenan i Örnsköldsvik AB (subsidiary of Modo Hockey)
- Tenants
- Modo Hockey (SHL) (2006–present)
- Capacity
- Ice hockey: 7,265 / Concerts: 9,800
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The arena is located in downtown Örnsköldsvik, by the harbor, and is surrounded by water on three sides. It contains three spectator levels: one suite level and two general seating levels, along with a restaurant and six bars. The atrium features a light display called Active Light Field, which makes the atrium change colors. Ground was broken on 14 September 2004, and the arena opened on 26 August 2006. Between 2008 and 2015, capacity reductions were made for ice hockey, including expanding the restaurant area and building a VIP bar on parts of the standing area, lowering the original maximum from 7,600 to at least 7,049 spectators. In October 2021, a new extended standing section raised the capacity to 7,115 spectators. The arena was originally called Swedbank Arena, then renamed Fjällräven Center from January 1, 2010 to August 31, 2021 after Fjällräven acquired naming rights in November 2009. On September 1, 2021, BAE Systems Hägglunds and the Swedish Bosch Rexroth subsidiary purchased the naming rights, renaming it Hägglunds Arena for a period of five or ten years.
Reader's Guide
Hägglunds Arena replaced the older Kempehallen as the home arena of Modo Hockey, a significant shift for the club. It hosted the 2008 European Curling Championships and the 2019 IIHF World U18 Championships, marking its role in international sports. The arena also served as a venue for Melodifestivalen, hosting the third heat in 2007, the first heat in 2010, the fourth heat in 2014 and 2018, and the semi-final in 2023. Notable music acts performed there, including Takida, Tomas Ledin, Alice Cooper, Thin Lizzy, Michael W. Smith, and Kent. The arena unsuccessfully applied to host the Eurovision Song Contest in 2016 and 2024. Its naming history reflects corporate sponsorship changes, from Swedbank Arena to Fjällräven Center to Hägglunds Arena, with the current name set for five or ten years starting September 2021. The arena's capacity has fluctuated due to renovations, with the current ice hockey capacity at 7,265 spectators.
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