Merkur Arena

The Liebenauer Stadium, also known as Merkur-Arena for sponsorship reasons, is a football stadium nestled in the heart of Graz, Austria. This iconic venue serves as the home ground for the SK Sturm Graz football club and has become a symbol of passion, unity, and sporting excellence.

Originally constructed in 1997, the stadium underwent a significant transformation in 2005 when it was rebranded as the Merkur-Arena, thanks to a sponsorship deal with the Merkur insurance company. This partnership not only injected vitality into the stadium but also brought modern amenities and state-of-the-art facilities to enhance the overall fan experience.

History

Originally, the stadium was named after bodybuilder, actor, and former governor of the U.S. state of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger, who was born near Graz. 

However, the stadium's name underwent a transformative journey in December 2005, when Schwarzenegger faced a momentous decision regarding the execution of Stanley Tookie Williams. The repercussions of his choice rippled through his hometown, igniting a fervent and impassioned dialogue about the stadium's identity. After several days of soul-searching and contemplation, Schwarzenegger chose to disassociate his name from the city of Graz and the stadium, effectively extinguishing the fervent debate that had enveloped the community.