Ullevi was originally built as one of the main venues for the 1958 FIFA World Cup and was inaugurated in May of that year. Its futuristic design was inspired by the Helsinki Olympic Stadium, and with its elliptical shape and sweeping roof construction, Ullevi has become an iconic landmark in Gothenburg.
The name Ullevi roughly means “Ull’s kingdom or temple” and relates to Ull, the god of games and play in Old Norse mythology.
Concerts and sporting events
Over the years, Ullevi has hosted both international championships and concerts by some of the world’s biggest artists, including Bruce Springsteen, Ed Sheeran, and Metallica. Each year, the opening ceremony of the Gothia Cup football tournament takes place here, bringing together youth teams from around the world.
The UEFA European Championship final was played here in 1992, and the World Athletics Championships were held at Ullevi in 1995. The Swedish artist Håkan Hellström holds the audience record of 73,781 people from his concert on 7 June 2025 – one of the 12 shows he has performed at the arena to date.
Central location in Gothenburg
Ullevi is centrally located and forms a key part of Gothenburg’s main events district, which also includes the football stadium Gamla Ullevi, the indoor arena Scandinavium, the Swedish Exhibition & Congress Centre, the amusement park Liseberg, and the science centre Universeum.
Ullevi is situated at the intersection of Skånegatan and Ullevigatan, just a 10–15 minute walk from Gothenburg Central Station. The nearest tram and bus stops are Södra Ullevi and Norra Ullevi.
Award-winning accessibility app
With the Got Event Accessibility app, Ullevi becomes more accessible for visitors who require audio description, sign language interpretation, or hearing loop support. The availability of accessible services may vary between events – read more and download the app at gotevent.se.
FAQ – frequently asked questions about Ullevi
How many visitors can Ullevi accommodate?
Ullevi has a capacity of up to 75,000 spectators for concerts and around 40,000–43,000 for sporting events.
Which artist holds the attendance record at Ullevi?
Håkan Hellström holds the attendance record at Ullevi, with 73,781 people at his concert on 7 June 2025.
How do I get to Ullevi?
Ullevi is centrally located in Gothenburg at the intersection of Skånegatan and Ullevigatan. You can walk there in 10–15 minutes from Gothenburg Central Station or take public transport to the stops Södra Ullevi or Norra Ullevi.
Why are the arenas in Gothenburg called Ullevi and Gamla Ullevi?
Ullevi and Gamla Ullevi are two separate arenas in Gothenburg, both located along the street Ullevigatan in the city centre. Gamla Ullevi is a football stadium inaugurated in 2009, replacing an earlier stadium from 1916 on the same site. Ullevi is a multi-purpose arena for sports and concerts, inaugurated in 1958. The previous stadium on the Gamla Ullevi site was originally called Ullevi but was renamed when the new arena was built.
Which arena is older – Ullevi or Gamla Ullevi?
Despite the name, Ullevi is older than Gamla (“old”) Ullevi. The current Gamla Ullevi stadium, built in 2009, replaced a football stadium from 1916. Ullevi, inaugurated in 1958, is therefore the older of the two in its present form.
Is Ullevi larger than Gamla Ullevi?
Yes, Ullevi is significantly larger. It is Sweden’s biggest outdoor arena, with a capacity of up to 75,000, while Gamla Ullevi accommodates around 18,000 spectators.
Does Ullevi have a roof?
Ullevi is an outdoor arena and does not have a roof covering the pitch. However, several seating sections are covered – including rows 28–35 in sections N and O, and all seats from row 8 in sections A, B, C, P, Q and R.
