Stadion Galgenwaard
- Field Hockey Women's World Cup 1998
- Field Hockey World Championship for Men 1998
- Junior World Championship 2005
The stadium Galgenwaard is a football stadium in Utrecht, the Netherlands. Home team is FC Utrecht. The history of the stadium began in the 1930s.
History
Early years
The city of Utrecht needed a sports venue in the various sports could be operated. After some difficulties to find such a suitable location and the global economic crisis began but with the construction.
On 21 May 1936, the sports facility was opened. In addition to football matches with UPS Hercules and DOS Utrecht also cycling, greyhound racing, athletics and gymnastics were held. Also congresses of the Jehovah's Witnesses were held. The games were well attended and on Sundays, thousands in the stadium with 16,000 seats.
Nieuw Galgenwaard
After more than 45 years, the time of the first stadium came to an end. After a game FC Utrecht against PSV Eindhoven the arena made way for a new venue. 1982 " Nieuw Galgenwaard " opened. It was at that time one of the most modern stadiums. A moat around the pitch made fences unnecessary.
In the summer of 1998, the Utrecht stadium to host the hockey World Championship for Men and Women was. These were held for the first time together in one place. For this, the natural grass was replaced with an artificial turf. The men's tournament was won for the visitors Netherlands. In the women won the Australian women.
Renovation
After twenty years of an expansion and modernization of the Arena was performed. The main grandstand was moved to the north and opened for the season 2001/2002. A year later, the opposite stand was finished. Also the stands behind the goals was then renewed. Since then, the stadium has nearly 24,500 seats.
Behind the stadium is a sports hall, which is used for basketball, volleyball and gymnastics. In addition to the arena two residential towers called " Apollo Residence " were built. Since 1 January 2002, the stadium has been officially named " Stadium Galgenwaard ".
In 2005, the Junior World Cup was held in the Netherlands. Ten Games of it in Utrecht, including the final. Argentina won by two goals from Lionel Messi against Nigeria 2-1.