The Østerbro Stadium sits just north east of the Idrætsparken in Copenhagen. Even in its earliest days it was a facility in the shadow of a much larger home dedicated to football.
Still known in some parts as the Atletikbanen the Østerbro Stadium was inaugurated on 12th May 1912 by King Christian X. By 1913 the Østerbro Stadium started to be rebuilt so that football could also be played on the area. This was done primarily to relieve pressure on the larger Idrætsparken next door where 3-4 football matches were often played on the weekends.
The emergence of the Østerbro Stadium coincide with a key period in Danish football. While the DBU had been founded in the late 19th century the 1908 Olympics in London saw the Danes defeat France 17-1 in an incredible semi final before lost the final to GB. The 1912 edition in Stockholm saw another silver medal and defeat in the final to Great Britain.
Background
When the new Idrætsparken opened there was no running track. Instead a seperate track was laid out behind the ground in 1912 and two years later on the northern side of the stadium the imposing Idrætshuset was opened – the first reinforced indoor sports hall made of concrete in Denmark.
By the 1920’s a large sports complex in Copenhagen had been completed.
While the Idrætsparken continued to be developed the athletics stadium adjacent retained its athletic all sports feel. In time however it became known in its own right as a venue and the ‘Østerbro Stadium’ – after the district of Copenhagen within which it is located.
The stadium has one stand which has its roots in 1958. But the Østerbro Stadium is better known for the imposing Idraetshuset which stands over the football pitch.
B.93 – Boldklubben
By the 1980’s the Østerbro Stadium was host to B.93 (Boldklubben 1893). The club had started using the ground for home games from the 1950’s.
But while the Idrætsparken has almost completely lost its original shape and traditions the Østerbro Stadium retains much of its original feel both inside and out.
In 2007/08, the Østerbro Stadion underwent a major renovation which cost around DKK 50 million. The football feel of the ground was not enhanced instead the track and field facilities were improved and given a modern touch. Due to the renovation of the ground B.93 played its home games at Valby Idrætspark.
Due to the growth of FC Copenhagen newer generations of fans seldom choose B.93 as a club of choice. Crowds at games of the club are sparse (even with the 7,000 capacity) and fall some way short of the vast enthusiastic crowds that gather for the FCK v Brøndby ‘new firm’ city derby encounter.
While seen as being in the same location the Idrætshuset and Østerbro Stadion are now seen as seperate entities. Both are centrally located in Østerbro but used for different types of sport.
The sports house Idrætshuset has one large hall and 4 small halls while the Østerbro Stadium is approved for athletics at an international level and for football at 2nd division level.
Should B.93 become a Danish Superliga football club ever again its likely they will play fixtures at the Telia Parken.
There are six famous statues at Østerbro Stadium – all donated by the Carlsberg Foundation. The statues and the Sports House were given listed building status in 2009.
