Jena’s Ad Hoc Arena claimed the Stadium of the Year 2024 title, defeating Madrid’s Estadio Santiago Bernabéu in a surprising upset. With 15,329 points from nearly 10,000 valid votes, the arena triumphed despite its lower profile and a renovation cost of 60 million euros compared to the Bernabéu’s over one billion. The arena, accommodating 15,000 spectators, is celebrated for its modern amenities and historical significance, enriching the local football culture and community.
Jena’s Unexpected Triumph in Stadium of the Year
In a surprising turn of events, the Ad Hoc Arena in Jena has emerged victorious in the Stadium of the Year 2024 contest, garnering almost 10,000 valid votes. This thrilling outcome has taken the football world by storm, especially given the close competition.
A Clash of Titans: Jena vs. Madrid
In the realm of football, a well-known adage states that money doesn’t score goals. Now, it seems this philosophy extends beyond the pitch, as the newly constructed Ad Hoc Arena has triumphed over the prestigious Estadio Santiago Bernabéu in the annual election hosted by the Polish website dedicated to stadium enthusiasts, ‘stadiumdb.com’. This contest is touted as the world’s largest public voting event for stadiums, occurring annually.
Against all odds, the Ad Hoc Arena, built at a cost of 60 million euros, has outperformed the opulent Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, which underwent a renovation costing over one billion euros. The operators of ‘stadiumdb.com’ deemed the result a sensational upset, as many expected the Bernabéu to dominate the voting. Instead, it was the Jena arena that secured the win, shaking the foundations of the stadium community.
The competition was tightly contested, with the Ad Hoc Arena finishing with 15,329 points, just 248 points ahead of the Bernabéu’s 15,081. The third-place contender, Stade Hocine Aït Ahmed from Algeria, trailed with 13,604 points. With 9,750 valid votes cast, the outcome was truly remarkable.
Participants in the voting process were encouraged to select their top five stadiums, with points awarded based on their rankings. Moreover, the eligibility criteria for the competition stipulated that only arenas opened or reopened in 2024 with a minimum capacity of 15,000 could participate, significantly narrowing the field.
So, what sets the Ad Hoc Arena apart from the legendary Estadio Santiago Bernabéu? According to ‘stadiumdb.com’, this East German venue has captured the affection of fans worldwide. Despite being home to a fourth division team with an average attendance of 6,923, the stadium offers an impressive capacity of 15,000, complete with excellent amenities for both fans and athletes. The arena seamlessly blends modernity with tradition, standing on the historic site of the former Jena stadium, right by the Saale River.
In addition to football, the Ad Hoc Arena has a storied past, having witnessed Czech javelin thrower Jan Železný set a world record of 98.48 meters in 1996, a mark that still endures. The arena’s planners aimed to create not just a sports venue, but a cultural hub for fans, a vision now realized with this victory.
While the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu boasts a capacity of 78,297 and has hosted numerous champions, including World Cup and Champions League winners, it appears that Jena’s triumph serves as a poetic form of revenge. The history between these two cities dates back to March 28, 1962, when Atlético Madrid defeated Motor Jena 1-0 in the European Cup semifinals, setting a record attendance of 27,000 at the old Ernst-Abbe-Sportfeld.