Teddy Stadium

Infobox_Stadium
stadium_name = Teddy Stadium
איצטדיון טדי


location = Jerusalem, Israel
broke_ground = 1990
opened = 1992
nickname = Gehenom (Hell), Har HaGa'ash (The Volcano)
owner = Municipality of Jerusalem
operator = Municipality of Jerusalem
surface = Grass
construction_cost = US $12,000,000
tenants = Beitar Jerusalem (1992-present) Hapoel Jerusalem (1992-present) Hapoel Katamon (2007-present) 2001 Maccabiah Games
seating_capacity = 21,600
pitchsize = 105 x 68 metres

Teddy Stadium ( _he. אצטדיון טדי, "Itztadion Teddy") is a multi-use stadium in Jerusalem, Israel. It is named for long-time Jerusalem mayor Teddy Kollek who was in office during the time of its construction and was one of its prominent advocates. Two football teams currently use the stadium, Beitar Jerusalem and Hapoel Jerusalem.

For Beitar, the stadium was a blessing after years of playing at the YMCA Stadium, which was better known as "The Sandbox" because of the large amounts of sand around the pitch. This often caused some odd goals and a difficulty for visiting sides.

In the first stage, only the west and east sides of the stadium were built giving it a capacity of 17,000. In 1997 work was finished on a north side that was perfectly connected to the west and east stands putting capacity at 21,600. [ [http://www.bjerusalem.co.il/BJShowFull.aspx?ObjType=1&ObjIcon=tedi.jpg&Parent=1&Type=9 Teddy Stadium] Beitar Jerusalem's official website] The stadium itself is one of the newest in Israel and one of the few that is close to meeting all European standards. It is accessible to the disabled, has modern bathrooms, and has ample concession stands, a combination that is very difficult to find in many Israeli stadiums. The stadium has 5,000 parking spots on premises, and is connected to the Malha Mall and its parking facilities by a pedestrian bridge.

The stadium is located at the terminus of the Begin Expressway and just past the Malha Train Station, which ensures convenient road and rail access to the rest of the country.

Because of its beauty and atmosphere (stands are close to the pitch and the acoustics are excellent), Teddy Stadium also hosted Israel national football team matches in the past as well as the Maccabiah Games opening ceremony and other public events.

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