Sparebanken Sor Arena
Kristiansand, Norway
Formerly: Sør Arena, Sparebanken Sør Arena
The Sparebanken Norge Arena in Kristiansand replaced the old Kristiansand Stadion when it opened on 15 April 2007. A sell-out crowd watched the opening match against Viking end in a 1–1 draw, setting the attendance record of 14,448 that still stands. The ground was built by Rasmussen Gruppen and designed by architect Kjell Kosberg, with the club and the venue later taken over by creditor Sparebanken Sør following financial difficulties.
The stadium sits at Stadionveien 21 and has hosted international fixtures, including a Norway U21 victory over Estonia in November 2007 and a women’s match against Israel in May 2008. It also staged the final of the 2013 International Challenge Trophy, where Norway U23 lost to Turkey A2 0–1. Concerts have filled the stands, with Elton John playing in 2007 and A-ha returning in 2010.
The pitch is covered in MX Elite artificial turf, which replaced the original surface in February 2020. The capacity is listed as 14,448 by the club and Europlan, though other sources cite slightly lower figures. The venue has changed name several times: Sør Arena (2007–2014), Sparebanken Sør Arena (2014–2025), and now Sparebanken Norge Arena after the bank merger.