History

 The Linzer Stadion, former home ground of Blau-Weiss Linz and LASK's top matches, was a stadium perpetually stuck in time. With its athletics track, three-quarters bowl (one end was completely open) and concrete, so much concrete, it was certainly a throwback. Don't get us wrong, this wasn't a bad thing. The ground was often referred to as the "Linzer Gugl" or "auf der Gugl" (it was built on the Gugl hill), so walking there from the Linz train station had you sweating if you were in a rush! It was also located adjacent to the TipsArena, which is a concert venue and where the Linz Ladies' tennis tournament takes place.
We were there solely for LASK's glory nights in the Champions League and Europa League over the last few years (including wins over Besiktas (arguably the best atmosphere we've experienced in Austria), Basel, PSV Eindhoven, Sporting Lisbon, AZ Alkmaar and Rosenborg), and this stadium could rock. It had the acoustics of a symphony hall and became a Euro fortress. When at full roar, it was goosebump inducing.
Whilst the current stars of LASK lit up this stadium on European nights in recent years, the stadium hosted concerts from the King of Pop Michael Jackson, Bon Jovi and Pink Floyd in its past. VÖEST Linz (now defunct and continued by Blau-Weiss) played FC Barcelona here in the 1974 European Cup whilst Inter Milan came unstuck 1-0 in a 1985 UEFA Cup clash versus LASK. The Linzer Stadion's biggest ever game was due to take place as Manchester United came to town on 12th March 2020, but the game ended up being one of Europe's first major matches to be played behind closed doors, after a last-second call due to the developing COVID pandemic.

After a somewhat controversial arrangement with the city of Linz, LASK planned to move back to a renovated Linzer Stadion after signing an 80-year lease for the site - and so the ground has been completely torn down as development for LASK's new "Raiffeisen Arena" got going. Blau-Weiss Linz will no longer play their home games at the new stadium.

The city 

In our opinion, Linz is one of Austria's most underrated cities. It is the third largest city in Austria, boasts a thriving cultural scene - it was European Capital of Culture in 2009 - and has excellent food. You must try the famed Linzer Torte, reportedly the oldest cake in the world.
Nestled on the River Danube, the city is serviced excellently by an extensive tram and bus network, meaning you can get anywhere quickly and easily. Take a look at the excellent Linz Tourismus site for more info!

How to get there? 

The stadium is handily located for those arriving from Linz train station, with it being only a 15-minute walk away. If you're coming from Linz's beautiful Altstadt you can catch bus 10 or 27 to Botanischer Garten Linz or make a pretty simple 20 minute walk. If you're an away fan, you'll have to enter the stadium via the Stockbauernstrasse however this will be signposted in most places.

Tickets 

LASK's European nights are the hottest ticket in town so you'd have to be very lucky. Tickets are available here: https://tickets.lask.at/
If you'd like to check out Blau-Weiss Linz - you can buy tickets on arrival at the stadium, or if you want to be prepared, get them here: http://tickets.bwlinz.at

More info

LASK Website: https://www.lask.at/
Blau-Weiss Linz Website: https://www.blauweiss-linz.at/