Saab Arena

Saab Arena
Map
Former namesCloetta Center (2004–2014)
LocationLinköping, Sweden
Coordinates58°25′03″N 15°38′06″E / 58.41750°N 15.63500°E / 58.41750; 15.63500
OwnerLinköpings Sportfastigheter AB
CapacityIce hockey: 8,500
Concerts: 11,500
Construction
OpenedSeptember 2004
ArchitectBergfjord & Ivarsson
Tenants
Linköpings HC

Saab Arena, formerly named Cloetta Center between 2004–2014, is an arena in Linköping, Sweden. It opened in September 2004 and holds 8,500 people during sport events and 11,500 during concerts. On its opening, it became the new home ice for the ice hockey team Linköpings HC, replacing Stångebro Ishall.

The arena has hosted a Melodifestivalen semi-final six times: in 2005, 2008, 2011, 2017, 2020, and 2023. Some other notable music acts include Deep Purple, Europe, John Fogerty, Toto, W.A.S.P. and Whitesnake.

History

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The arena cost a total of SEK 249 million to build. Candy manufacturer Cloetta acquired the naming rights prior to the arena's opening and named it Cloetta Center. The name held a double meaning in that "Center" was also one of the company's main brands.[1] On 10 July 2013, Cloetta announced that they wouldn't extend their contracts with the arena after the 2013–14 season, which meant the arena would operate under a new name starting in the 2014–15 season.[2] On 16 June 2014, Saab and Linköpings HC signed an agreement that would rename Cloetta Center to Saab Arena. The change didn't technically take effect before 1 July 2014.[3]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "About the Company". Cloetta Fazer. Archived from the original on 2013-05-28. Retrieved 2007-03-28.
  2. ^ Svedin, Ulrik (2013-07-10). "Cloetta lämnar LHC" (in Swedish). affarsliv.se. Retrieved 2013-07-11.
  3. ^ "Linköpings hockey- och evenemangarena byter namn till Saab Arena" (in Swedish). Linköpings HC. 2014-06-16. Retrieved 2014-06-17.
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Media related to Saab Arena at Wikimedia Commons