Bislett Stadion – stadium description

The American “Sports Illustrated” listed this stadium as one of the most important sports grounds of the twentieth century. That was in 1999, when the dated stadium had 77 years of service behind it. By 2004 there wasn’t anything left of it with construction of new stands under way. The project worth an estimated €55 million was delivered in 2005 and continuing this site’s great legacy was set as the goal.

But “goal” may be ironic for a stadium known mostly for its athletic use. Despite several teams’ tenancy of the ground (Vaalerenga until 1999, Lyn and Skeid afterwards), it’ most famous for being the place of over 50 records in athletics, having hosted the Golden League meeting already in 1965. Then there are 15 more records for speed skating.

The stands holding 15,400 people have an unusual layout because of lying within a triangular plot. As a result most of the seats are located behind goals rather than on the sides – very decent for athletics, but not as much for football.