The terms ‘Wankdorf’ and ‘Young Boys’ in the same sentence have raised several eyebrows over the years with many gags about the Swiss football sides home ground sailing close to the wind. But just what is the history behind the Wankdorf Stadium name?
The Original Wankdorf Stadium Was Built In 1925
The first Wankdorf Stadium was built back in 1925 and took 7 months to build.
It had an original capacity of 22,000 and they hosted their first international match there on 8th November 1925 in front of 18,000 fans – in a game that saw the Swiss national team beat Austria 2-0.
Over the next decade the stadium was enlarged to increase the capacity to 42,000, but with the prospect of hosting a World Cup Final the stadium was demolished, and a new 64,000 arena built with 8,000 seating and 56,000 standing.
The newly built stadium went onto host the 1954 World Final that was billed as the ‘Miracle Of Bern’ which saw West Germany beat Hungary 3-2 – a game the stadium has now become best known for.
Old Wankdorf Stadium Demolished In 2001
In 2001 the Wankdoff Stadium was ripped down and a new stadium called Stade de Suisse built in its place. This opened in the summer of 2005 and went onto become one of the Euro 2008 venues.
Why Is It Called The Wankdorf Stadium Again?
The stadium is named after the Swiss capital’s (Bern) Wankdorf neighbourhood and in 2004 there was a petition between locals in 2004 to change the Stade de Suisse Stadium name back to the old Wankdorf title.
Swiss side Young Boys, who play at the stadium, revealed the name change at the start of the 2004/05 season.
Now known as the Wankdorf Stadium and the continued home ground of Swiss Super League side Young Boys, who have become more of a household name around Europe after playing in the Champions League.
This has led to other European football fans living dangerously with puns and gags when pairing the stadium and the football side’s name together.
While the pitch at the ground is an artificial surface.
Where Is The Wankdorf Stadium?
- Location: Bern, Switzerland
- Address: Papiermuhlestrasse 71, 3014 Bern, Switzerland
- Capacity: 32,000
- Home Team: Young Boys
- Opened: 30th July 2005
- Surface: Artificial grass
The Wankdorf Is The Second Largest All-Seater Stadium In Switzerland
The Stadoin Wankdorf is also currently the second largest all-seater football stadium in Switzerland with a capacity of 31,783. Second only to St Jakob-Park, who are the home of FC Basel and have a 38,512 capacity.
The Old Stadium Has Hosted World Cup Final & European Finals In The Past
In addition to the 1954 World Cup Final, that saw West Germany beat the more fancied side Hungary 3-2 (watch below), the old stadium also hosted the 1961 European Cup Final which resulted in another 3-2 scoreline – this time Benfica beating Barcelona.
The Wankdorf Stadium has also staged the 1989 Cup Winners’ Cup Final, when Barcelona were in town again and recorded a 2-0 win over Sampdoria.
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