VIKINGS UNVEIL NEW HOME FOR AFLE CAMPAIGN
The Vienna Vikings have confirmed a new home setup for the 2026 American Football League Europe (AFLE) season, with five of their six home games set to be played at the newly renovated Wiener Sport-Club Stadion.
The move marks a first for the franchise, which has never previously staged its home fixtures at the historic Vienna venue. However, fresh from an extensive programme of renovation and modernisation, the stadium will now serve as the Vikings’ primary base as they look to carry one of Europe’s strongest home records into a new era.
The lone exception comes in what is already shaping up as one of the marquee dates of the AFLE calendar, as Vienna’s home showdown with Rhein Fire will once again be staged at the larger Generali Arena, a venue that has previously hosted some of the franchise’s biggest nights.
General manager Max Paatz described the move as a landmark moment for the organisation.
“The Wiener Sport-Club Stadium marks a very special step for us,” the former Rhein executive noted. “After the extensive renovations, we are thrilled to open a new chapter in the history of the Vienna Vikings there.
“It’s a premiere for our organisation, and that’s precisely what makes it so exciting. At the same time, we know we have a proven top venue at our side in the Generali Arena for the game against Rhein Fire. This combination gives us the opportunity to establish a new home and present a true highlight game on a big stage.”
From a competitive standpoint, the Vikings will hope the new venue quickly takes on the feel of the fortress they have built since entering Europe’s professional landscape. Across four years, Vienna has lost just two home games, compiling an extraordinary 26-2 record on home soil — a mark the club says no other franchise in European football can match.
Rather than simply changing venue, Vienna is effectively transplanting one of the continent’s most formidable home-field advantages into a new setting, and head coach Chris Calaycay made clear that atmosphere remains central to the club’s ambitions.
“Every new stadium brings new energy, and we are really excited to experience that together with our fans,” he insisted. “The Wiener Sport-Club Stadion will be a new home for us, and we want to fill it with passion, intensity and great performances. And, of course, playing a big game in the Generali Arena is always something special. We can’t wait to create unforgettable moments with our fans, partners and supporters.”
Off the field, the Vikings say preparations are already underway to expand the matchday experience, with entertainment areas, fan zones and family-focused activities planned around the new home venue. The club also confirmed that ticketing information will be released shortly, with season-ticket holders given priority access ahead of individual match sales through new league-wide partner Eventim.