Hovet

Hovet
Former names	Johanneshovs Isstadion (1955–2000)
Location	Johanneshov, Stockholm
Coordinates	59°17′41.5″N 18°4′55″E / 59.294861°N 18.08194°E
Owner	City of Stockholm via SGA Fastigheter
Operator	AEG Live / ASM Gobal
Capacity	8,094
Construction
Opened	4 November 1955
Renovated	2002
Expanded	1962
Demolished	2025 (expected)
Architect	Paul Hedqvist
Tenants
	AIK IF (HockeyAllsvenskan); Djurgårdens IF (HockeyAllsvenskan); Djurgårdens IF Dam (SDHL); Hammarby IF (1955–2008)
Website
	Venue website

Hovet (formerly known as Johanneshovs Isstadion or, in English: Johanneshov Ice Stadium) is an arena located in the Johanneshov district of Stockholm (Stockholm Globe City) which is mainly used for ice hockey, concerts and corporate events. It was opened in 1955 as an outdoor arena, however a roof was added in 1962, and the arena interior has also been a subject to major renovation in 2002. The arena's main tenants are ice hockey clubs AIK and Djurgårdens IF. The official capacity is 8,094 spectators for ice hockey events and 8,300 during concerts.

History

The arena was officially inaugurated on 4 November 1955 with an ice hockey game between Sweden and Norway, which Sweden won 7–2.^[1] The original designer was Swedish architect Paul Hedqvist. A roof was added for the 1963 World Ice Hockey Championships. During the autumn of 2002, every chair was replaced and a restaurant area was added at one of the short ends.

Other than AIK and Djurgårdens IF, Hovet has been the regular home arena in different periods for IK Göta, IFK Stockholm, Stureby SK, Mälarhöjden/Västertorp, Brinkens IF, AC Camelen, and Hammarby IF. Since its inaugural year in 2008, Bajen Fans IF, renamed Hammarby IF after the former club, plays one game annually at Hovet. The 2015 Summer European League of Legends Championship Series finals were played at the Hovet.

In May 2016 Hovet was used as the press centre for the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest, which was taking place next door in Globen. The flat ice rink area was covered making way for the press working area, accredited fan zone, filming and radio studios, and a press conference arena.^[2]

Future

In early 2016, plans were announced for a demolition of the arena in 2020 or later, and a renovation of Globen to better adapt to ice hockey,^[3] and to create wider space for residential buildings. The decision to demolish was made by SGA Fastigheter on 8 November 2017.^[4] On 20 June 2022, Stockholm Municipality finally announced that the arena will be demolished, as well as plans to refurbish the Avicii Arena. The ice hockey arena is expected to be demolished in 2025, and in its place an underground ice hockey rink is expected to be built.^[5]

References

"Hovet fact sheet" (PDF). AB Stockholm Globe Arena. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 October 2006. Retrieved 27 August 2007.

^ Benjamin Thorén. "Hovet" (in Swedish). Hammarby Hockey historia. Retrieved 8 March 2018.
^ Jiandani, Sanjay Sergio (26 April 2016). "Discover Stockholm: A visit to Hovet (The Press Centre venue)". ESCToday.com. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
^ "Ishockey: Klassiska Hovet rivs". SVT Sport (in Swedish). 1 November 2017. Retrieved 2 March 2023.
^ "Beslut taget: Hovet rivs". www.aftonbladet.se (in Swedish). 9 November 2017. Retrieved 2 March 2023.
^ "KLART: Hovet ska rivas – så påverkas ishockeyn". www.aftonbladet.se (in Swedish). 20 June 2022. Retrieved 2 March 2023.