Mustapekka Areena
 Mustapekka Areena in 2015 | |
 | |
| Location | Käskynhaltijantie 11, 00640, Helsinki |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 60°14′05″N 24°57′45″E / 60.234757°N 24.962530°E |
| Owner | IF Gnistan/ City of Helsinki |
| Capacity | 2,200 [1] |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 1934 |
| Renovated | 2006, 2010, 2024 |
Mustapekka Areena (previously Fair Pay Areena in 2006–2017, also known as Oulunkylän jalkapallostadion, "Oulunkylä Football Stadium"), is a multi-purpose stadium in Oulunkylän liikuntapuisto in the Oulunkylä neighbourhood of Helsinki, Finland. It is the home stadium of football club IF Gnistan, and is currently used mostly for football matches. The stadium holds a seating capacity for 2,200 people.
History
The original Oulunkylä track and field stadium with natural grass field was first opened in 1934 in the same location,[2] on the premises of Finland's first harness racing course, which had relocated to Käpylä earlier in 1927.
Modern era
The artificial turf with heating system was installed in 2006, and the stadium was named Fair Pay Areena by the slogan of Intrum Justitia Oy, the project sponsor. The heating system allows the stadium to be used throughout the calendar year. The roof covered stand was built in 2010 with new facilities for dressing rooms, saunas, cafeteria and conference rooms. Originally the premises were owned by the City of Helsinki, but in 2017 Gnistan acquired the control and the management of the stadium.[3] The stadium was simultaneously named Mustapekka Areena by the local supermarket, the sponsor of the club.[4] In the 2017 Ykkönen season, Gnistan was forced to play the first two home matches of the season in Telia 5G Areena due to replacing the artificial turf surface. The turf was recently replaced also in 2023.[5]
On 25 October 2023, in a Veikkausliiga promotion play-offs match against IFK Mariehamn, Gnistan had their then record audience of 1,622 people in Mustapekka Areena.[6]
On 22 February 2024, it was confirmed that Gnistan will play their upcoming Veikkausliiga matches in Mustapekka Areena, starting in 2024 season. The watering system and the lights will be upgraded, and the seating capacity will be increased from 1,100 to 2,200.[7][8] On 6 April 2024, in a match between Gnistan and Inter Turku, the first Veikkausliiga match of Gnistan's history, Mustapekka Areena had a new record audience of 2,352 people.[9]
References
- ^ Mustapekka Areena
- ^ Gnistan: Historia, gnistan.fi
- ^ GNISTAN ALOITTAA YKKÖSEN PELIT TÖÖLÖN JALKAPALLOSTADIONILLA,gnistan.fi, 16 April 2017
- ^ Vaihtaako yksi Helsingin tunnetuimmista urheiluareenoista nimensä? – näin Mustapekka-kauppias kommentoi, helsinginuutiset.fi, 31 January 2024
- ^ Vain olosuhteet puuttuvat, Helsingin Sanomat, 7 October 2023
- ^ Gnistan piti pintansa suurottelussa – uusi yleisöennätys, Ilta-Sanomat, Ari Virtanen, 25 October 2023
- ^ OULUNKYLÄSSÄ PELATAAN VEIKKAUSLIIGAA 2024 – KAUAN ODOTETTU ILMOITUS!, gnistan.fi, 22 February 2024
- ^ Oulunkylän jalkapallostadionia parannetaan, Finnish News Agency/ STT, 22 February 2024
- ^ Gnistan – FC Lahti, veikkausliiga.com