Jernvallen, Multi-purpose stadium in Sandviken, Sweden.
Jernvallen is a sports ground in Sandviken built in 1938, when it was described as Europe's most modern sports facility. It has a bandy rink made artificially frozen in 1973, football pitches, and since 2006 an indoor cycling track in the basement. It is the home ground of Sandvikens AIK in bandy and football.
Jernvallen was built in 1938 and was then described as Europe's most modern sports facility. During the 1958 FIFA World Cup it hosted two matches, Hungary–Wales and Hungary–Mexico, with a capacity of 20,000; it is the northernmost stadium ever to stage a World Cup match. The football attendance record of 20,288 was set in 1957 at a match between Sandvikens IF and IFK Norrköping.
Jernvallen is the home ground of Sandvikens AIK in bandy and football. The bandy rink was artificially frozen in 1973, and players voted it the best bandy arena in Sweden for four seasons running, 1994–95 to 1997–98. Since 2006 a cycling track has occupied the basement.
Jernvallen lies in Sandviken, about 190 km north of Stockholm, and the grounds are used for bandy, football and other sports. The bandy rink has been artificially frozen since 1973, which keeps ice available outside mild winters. The 2006 indoor cycling track sits in the basement, and the separate Göransson Arena bandy hall opened on 30 May 2009.
The stadium holds the geographic distinction of being the most northern venue ever to host FIFA World Cup matches, making it an unusual landmark in football history. Visitors gain perspective on how a small Swedish town once hosted matches at the sport's highest level.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 93,245 contributors worldwide.