ULLEVI STADIUM AND HEDEN ARENA ARE GETTING CHAMPIONSHIP READY The work has begun to get the championship venues Ullevi Stadium, Heden Arena and Slottsskogen City Park ready for the Longines FEI European Championships in Gothenburg, Sweden. The transformation of Ullevi Stadium into a championship venue for the disciplines of Jumping and Dressage started right after the fireworks from the concert of the Swedish artist Håkan Hellström faded into the night. The Håkan Hellström concert was the finale of an intense concert summer at Ullevi Stadium, and now work has begun to remove the stadium turf to turn the iconic stadium into an equestrian championship arena. The footing will be prepared using a foundation of macadam, upon which custom mixed fibre sand is added to create a world class Jumping- and Dressage arena. A training arena, a VIP-pavilion and temporary stands are also being built. – There’s a total of 40 000 m2 of riding area being built at the various stadiums and training venues, says Tomas Torgersen, Competition Manager of the Longines FEI European Championships Gothenburg 2017. Heden Arena is also undergoing a transformation in order to get the venue ready for the disciplines of Driving and Para-Equestrian Dressage. Competition and training arenas are being prepared, using a total of 3200 tons of fibresand. While the competition arenas are being prepared, Heden Shopping Village is being built. It will be located on what’s normally the Heden bandy field. 1000 tons of stone dust will make up the ground for the exhibition area that will hold 100 exhibitors, a stage area, a show paddock and a restaurant area. At Valhalla IP, the stable area and training area are being prepared. The Championship will bring approximately 600 horses to Gothenburg. 300 of them will be placed at the stables at Valhalla IP and the rest at stables in the Scandinavium Arena and at Heden Arena. Slottsskogen City Park is getting ready for the Driving marathon with 8 spectacular obstacles that are being built. Contact Helena Lindqvist, Marketing Manager, Longines FEI European Championships Gothenburg 2017, tel +46 725 41 84 50, [email protected] Read more at gothenburg2017.com ABOUT THE LONGINES FEI EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS GOTHENBURG 2017 August 21-27 4 disciplines 300 of Europe's best riders and drivers from 30 countries 590 horses 100 exhibitors at Heden 1400 volunteers Capacity for 27,000 equestrian fans at Ullevi Stadium daily 400 media representatives Event Locations: Ullevi Stadium: arena for the disciplines Dressage and Jumping. Don’t miss the exciting finals – buy your tickets http://gothenburg2017.com/en/tickets/ Heden Arena: Heden is a recreational area located next to the Ullevi Stadium. The area will be the main arena for Driving and Para-Equestrian Dressage. During the Longines FEI European Championships the Heden Arena will also transform into a lively area with shows, hands-on activities and exhibits. The Heden Arena will have free admission all week. The Slottsskogen City Park and the city: some of Gothenburg's central streets and the city's beautiful park Slottsskogen will be the venue for the Driving marathon. The Longines FEI European Championships Gothenburg 2017 is organized in close collaboration between the Swedish Equestrian Federation, Got Event AB and Göteborg & Co. Read more at: www.gothenburg2017.com .