Foundation stone laying ceremony for the new stadium of the Winner Sports Club

The official renovation of one of Vienna's oldest sports facilities will begin on October 16, 2024 and will be completed in the next two years. For the new construction and revitalization of the sports facility at Alszeile 19, the client and developer Sport Wien (MA 51) relied on the expertise of WIP Wiener Infrastructure Projekt GmbH, a subsidiary of WSE Wiener Lageentwicklung GmbH of Vienna Holding. , which has already implemented many sports infrastructure projects. The new stadium will accommodate about 5,500 spectators for national matches and about 4,500 spectators for international matches.

Actual construction began in June 2024 with the relocation and demolition of the main stands and cemetery. The comprehensive redesign process begins with a groundbreaking ceremony. The sports club arena will be extensively modernized: the main stand and the cemetery pavilion will be rebuilt, and the south stand will be renovated. The structural structure is scheduled to be completed at the end of 2025, and full operation is scheduled for the second quarter of 2026.

The Stadion Sport-Club project is a key part of the City of Vienna's strategy to promote sustainable and multifunctional sports infrastructure in Vienna. The Vienna Sports Club will have a long-term headquarters that can be used for national and international matches.

Multi-functionality and sustainability in focus
The renovation aims not only to rejuvenate the stadium, but also to make it multi-use. Thanks to construction according to “UEFA Category 2” standards, the stadium could also host matches of the ÖFB women’s national team and all youth national teams as well as rugby and American football matches in the future. Thanks to the associated expansion of the stadium, the Wiener Sports Club Stadium opens up to new sporting worlds – a real win for the diversity of sport in Vienna.

“I am very happy that after years of planning, the new stadium for the sports club is now being built. I am especially happy that not only our WSC club has received a new, modern stadium, but also the best international games thanks to the UEFA “ÖFB” rating. “Women and youth national teams will appear in Hernals in the future,” says district leader Peter Jagsch, looking positively to the future.

The contemporary main building, connecting the new stands, provides more than just space for fans: with modern seminar and office space, it becomes the heart of the multi-functional stadium. The traditional “blue stand” will also sparkle with new splendor. The renovation not only modernizes the kiosk and sanitary facilities, but also makes the on-field experience more enjoyable for all visitors.

Commitment to climate protection and sustainability
Of particular note are the sustainable measures that make the stadium almost completely energy self-sufficient. A powerful photovoltaic system will be installed on the roof of the new main platform, generating approximately 100,000 kilowatt-hours of clean electricity. Combined with an innovative heat pump system, the stadium covers a large part of its energy needs itself – the surplus is fed into the Vienna electricity grid. Modern LED lighting, green roof and underground water wells complete the sustainability concept. As with previous Sport Wien projects, these measures aim to achieve “Climate Active” certification – a strong commitment to climate protection and sustainability in sport in Vienna.

“Today's groundbreaking ceremony for the new stadium of the Vienna Sports Club is an important moment not only for the club, but also for Hernals and the Vienna Sports City. With this project, we are not only expanding the sports infrastructure – it is a sign of our clear commitment to sport and sustainability in Vienna, Through pioneering measures such as the installation of a photovoltaic system and the use of a heat pump, we are actively committed to climate protection and are helping to make Vienna climate neutral. “Not only does it generate energy itself to a large extent, but it is also fully equipped,” says Anatole Richter, Head of Sport Vienna. Perfect for international games.

Long-term use and sustainable construction
“As Wien Holding, we are helping to build a new, sustainable and digital Vienna. In the spirit of the climate goals of the City of Vienna, we attach great importance to green, climate-friendly and energy-efficient technologies. From the new sports Arena Vienna to the newly built Hinaysgasse school campus, from Renovated circular gymnasiums to the new stadium of the Wiener Sports Club Resource conservation and climate protection are always at the top of our priority list,” emphasizes Wien Holding Managing Director Oliver Strebel.

“Therefore, the use of geothermal energy, the construction of photovoltaic systems, green roofs and facades, the use of concrete core activation, heat recovery, the installation of modern ventilation systems, the use of thermal insulating materials and the preservation of the highest possible level of resources are among the measures implemented in all projects.” Wien Holding's real estate, which should be used as a priority.

In addition, Wien Holding Sport GmbH, which in a first step, under the management of Sonja Zahradnik-Leonharzberger and Christoph Gulick, will assume the operational management of the Sport Arena Vienna (which will be completed in mid-2025), will play an important role in the operation of the Sport Club Stadium. come.

After many years of waiting, the stadium will shine with new splendor in time to celebrate its 120th anniversary. After all, football has been played in Alszell since 1904 – longer than any other sporting ground in Europe. The new venue will provide the traditional club with a stable and sustainable home. The reopening is scheduled for spring 2026, in time before construction begins on the U5 underground line, which will connect the stadium to the Vienna underground network.

At Vienna Sports Club, anticipation of the new stadium also gave way to nostalgia, as Head of Football David Krapf-Günther confirms: “There was a tear in the eye to witness the demolition stages, but also great relief afterwards.” “A long investment of time and work to see how part of our club's future will take a new shape. In terms of sport, we have already seen some high-scoring matches around our stadium.”

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