Washed in a clay red finish on the outside and met on the inside with sharp grey seats, there's something of a multi-layered serving on show in the shape of our latest 'Residence' stop. Taking to the Danish Supa Liga, 'Ceres Park', home to AGF Aarhus is where we land next. Enjoy this free roam of a stadium where the floodlights capture a continental game.
Quite often, a running track around a stadium may create an unwanted distance between fans and players. We've all been there. Though rather refreshingly, this curved wonder defies those conventional tones. It's an unorthodox stadium by contemporary terms but it's most definitely one with a lot of presence. A multi-functional facility that also doubles up as an Olympic training complex, the standards are high and the stands are too. Much like an amphitheater, the Grecian sense of architecture is on show for all to see though it's football that takes this centre stage here.
Opened in 1920, this facility gives of an alluring atmosphere. The seats are not those that fold. They're static and awaiting their residents to take their place. One of those spiritual football stadiums that feels full when there's no one in it, you'll stare at the stands as the architecture steals the mind and in turn seconds of your time. A capacity of just over 20,000, it's here where AGF Aarhus ply their trade in the top tier of Danish football ― an enviable place to call home which was redeveloped around the turn of the century.
Three stands form a bowl that curve around the track, though the odd one out runs along the 100-metre home straight. It's proud and distinguished and although originally created for the athletic needs of the Aarhus locals, it goes further than simply serving a purpose. As we stroll, others run. It's quite the poetic sign of an open minded community that doesn't put up any red tape hours before a match day kicks off.
We're met with a pristine carpet of a surface. Beer creeps its way on to the stands and the open environment is friendly though passionately fuelled by loyal fans. Not the regular stopping point for the travelling football fan but perhaps it's about time that changed. A beautiful Scandinavian influence means this stadium is an architectural party tour and for a place they call the 'Madhouse', it doesn't disappoint. Did we mention, they have their own branded Crisps?
Photography by Rich Maciver for SoccerBible.
