Let's Go Merkur Arena!
The city invites the Graz football clubs to the “Open Stadium Weekend”
This chance comes only once: on May 29th and 30th, many footballers in this city can fulfill a dream and play a match with their club in the Merkur Arena in Graz-Liebenau!
Gerald Pototschnig (Holding Graz), Exhibition Director Barbara Muhr and City Councilor for Sports Kurt Hohensinner (from left) make the dream come true for many amateur footballers. Photo: City of Graz
There is good news and very good news: The lawn in the Merkur Arena, which caused a lot of discussion among football fans this spring, will be completely replaced after the last competitive game of the GAK (on May 23). The work will start in the days after - but a footballing “highlight” will take place before that. From now on the footballers can train in the usual way again, so the trade fair director came here Barbara Muhr a very special idea: “We offer the Graz amateur football clubs the unique opportunity to play their games in the Merkur Arena. An action like this fits perfectly into the sporting year Kurt Hohensinner she quickly found a proponent: “It is a unique opportunity for all amateur footballers. Where normally only the professionals and stars appear, the Graz soccer clubs can play their friendly matches for two days. The stadium is open to everyone! "
The game will be played on Saturday, May 29th and Sunday, May 30th - always from morning to sunset. Ankick is in any weather. The call is made to all Graz junior teams (from U 10) as well as women's and men's teams that belong to the Styrian Football Association or the hobby football league. A game of the Special Blackies of Sturm Graz against the GAK 1902 Specials may also be played. “We are assuming that the demand is greater than the supply,” says Hohensinner with a smile. Therefore, the clubs have to apply for a “time slot” on the “Let's Go Graz” homepage, so to speak (www.letsgograz.at/lets-go-stadion). A jury then decides which clubs will be awarded the contract and who will receive which seasons. These selected clubs have quasi “home right” and can choose their opponents for the friendly match. Obviously, you can also play against clubs outside of Graz, but each club can only play once a weekend in Liebenau. The clubs have to bear the costs for referees themselves, there is no canteen around the stadium, the Covid regulations must be complied with at all times. Corresponding sectors will be opened for fans of the clubs (25 spectators per team allowed); the Covid regulations also apply here at all times.
