The stadium was renamed in 1992 to honor the legendary Austrian football player and coach Ernst Happel.
It hosted four European Cup/Champions League finals, including the 1964, 1987, 1990, and 1995 editions.
The structure is part of the Wiener Sportstätten management, which oversees multiple public athletic facilities in Vienna.
It is situated within the grounds of the Prater, a vast public park that was once an imperial hunting ground.
The stadium's original 1931 construction was designed by architect Georg Rupprecht.
The Ernst Happel Stadium is Austria's largest soccer stadium, located in Vienna's second district. It functions as the home ground for the Austrian national football team and frequently hosts major international matches and concerts. Opened in 1931 as the Prater Stadium, it underwent significant expansion and renovation in the 1980s, increasing its capacity to over 50,000 spectators. The stadium hosted the UEFA Euro 2008 final. Its architectural design features a distinct oval roof structure covering the main grandstand. The facility remains the primary venue for high-attendance sporting events in the country.
The main entrance area on Meiereistraße, which provides a clear view of the stadium's exterior facade.
Check the official event calendar before visiting, as access to the grounds is restricted during match days and major concerts.
Visit during daylight hours to walk through the surrounding Prater park, which offers extensive green space and recreational trails.
Bring binoculars if attending a sporting event, as the distance from the stands to the pitch can be significant due to the stadium's size.
Attempting to enter the pitch area or restricted zones, which are strictly monitored and alarmed.
Open year-round for events, but closed to the public on non-event days; access to the interior is only possible during ticketed matches or guided stadium tours.
