Hägglunds Arena

The building sits on the edge of the harbour water, Örnsköldsvik ’s Framnäs district. It is not a single monolithic block but a structure defined by angles. The arena stands on Viktoriaesplanaden, and the water laps against the quay just yards from the concrete pillars that support the upper tiers.

Inside, the seating bowl wraps tightly around the ice hockey rink.

It replaced Kempehallen as the home of Modo Hockey, a switch made when the old hall could no longer keep up. The venue has lived through several identities, opening as Swedbank Arena before the sponsorship shifts brought the name Fjällräven Center, and finally settling on Hägglunds Arena. It has hosted the melodic pop contest Melodifestivalen on several occasions, a sign that the city looks beyond winter sports when it fills the seats. The capacity sits at roughly 7,300, a number that fluctuates with the configuration of the standing section known as the Kurva Carlabel.

There is a distinct feeling of being in a working town. It is visible from the water, part of the landscape. When Modo play there, the game is not just a match but a local event. The stands are full, the noise is contained by the roof, and the focus is entirely on the players. The wheels came off for the visitors in a tight contest, as the home side pulled off a stunning save to keep the tie alive. The incident went to review, but the result stood.