View source for Sør Arena

{{Short description|Football stadium in Torsvika, Norway}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2021}}
{{Good article}}
{{Infobox venue
| stadium_name       = Sparebanken Sør Arena<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ikstart.no/om-stadion|title = Sparebanken Sør Arena}}</ref>
| nickname           =
| image              = Sør-Arena-1.jpg
| location           = Torsvika, [[Kristiansand]], [[Norway]]
| broke_ground       = 11 January 2006
| opened             = 15 April 2007
| closed             =
| demolished         =
| owner              = [[Kristiansand|Kristiansand Kommune]]
| operator           = Sørlandshallen Eiendom AS
| surface            = Artificial grass
| construction_cost  = [[Norwegian krone|NOK]] 400 million
| architect          = [[Kjell Kosberg]]
| former_names       =
| tenants            = [[IK Start]] (2007–)
| seating_capacity   = 14,563
| suites             =
| record_attendance  = 14,448
| coordinates        = {{Coord|58|9|13|N|8|1|43|E|type:landmark_region:NO|display=inline,title}}
}}

'''Sparebanken Sør Arena''' ("South Arena") is a [[Association football|football]] [[stadium]] located at Torsvika in [[Kristiansand]], [[Norway]]. The [[all-seater stadium|all-seater]] has a capacity of 14,563 people, and serves as the home ground of [[Tippeligaen]] side [[IK Start]]. It was designed by [[Kjell Kosberg]], and is architecturally similar to [[Aker Stadion]]. The venue has seen concerts by [[Elton John]], [[Dolly Parton]] and [[A-ha]], among others.. [[UEFA]] refers to the stadium as '''Kristiansand Arena'''.

Construction started in 2006, and the stadium opened on 15 April 2007, replacing [[Kristiansand Stadion]] as Start's home ground. The venue cost 400 million [[Norwegian krone]] (NOK), of which the stadium itself cost NOK&nbsp;250 million, after significant [[cost overrun]]s. While originally planned with [[artificial turf]], the venue was ultimately built with a natural grass pitch. The venue and the holding company Start Stadion were taken over by Sparebanken Sør, the main [[creditor]], in 2008. They subsequently also took over Start Toppfotball, the company running the club. Both companies were sold to [[Ernst Ravnaas]] in 2009. Following decreased attendance, ahead of the 2011 season the seating on the corners was sold as advertisement space and the maximum capacity has artificially been reduced to 11,700.

==History==
[[File:Sor-arena-aerial-view-2006-10-19.jpg|left|thumb|Sør Arena during construction]]

Traditionally, Start has played their home games at Kristiansand Stadion, a municipal [[multi-purpose stadium]]. In May 2005, the municipal council approved the plans for a new stadium for Start. At the time, the structure was estimated to cost NOK&nbsp;177 million, of which NOK&nbsp;120 million would be for the stadium itself, while the remaining would be for commercial properties.<ref name=kjempegjeld>{{cite web |url=http://www.dagbladet.no/sport/2008/04/11/532222.html |title=Ny stadion har gitt Start kjempegjeld |work=[[Dagbladet]] |date=11 April 2008 |language=no |access-date=17 April 2011 |archive-date=14 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014070825/http://www.dagbladet.no/sport/2008/04/11/532222.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=space>{{cite web |url=http://www.nrk.no/nyheter/distrikt/sorlandet/sport_nrk_sorlandet/1.3618042 |title=Sør Arena tre ganger dyrere |last1=Pedersen |first1=Kjell |last2=Rasch |first2=Lars Helge |work=[[Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation]] |date=30 September 2007 |language=no |access-date=17 April 2011 |archive-date=2 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102145410/http://www.nrk.no/nyheter/distrikt/sorlandet/sport_nrk_sorlandet/1.3618042 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The club held an [[architecture competition]], and received six bids. On 28 September 2005, Start Toppfotball announced that they had selected the design by Kjell Kosberg from Kosbergs Arkitektkontor, who had previously designed [[Aker Stadion]] and [[Briskeby Arena]]. The default proposal contained a spectator capacity for 9,948 people, but the plans were scalable, allowing for increased capacity if the club so wanted. Ernst Ravnaas, co-owner of the club, stated that given the recent high attendance, he wanted to build a larger stadium than the default proposal. Financing was planned with a free lot from [[Kristiansand Municipality]], a NOK&nbsp;40 million loan from the municipality, a NOK&nbsp;20 million grant from [[Cultiva]], a municipal culture fund, NOK&nbsp;20 in [[value added tax]] refund, NOK&nbsp;10 to 20 million in [[naming rights]], the sale of commercial property, NOK&nbsp;30 to 40 million in a bank loan, and the remaining with share capital from Start Toppfotball.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fvn.no/sport/article310949.ece |title=Slik blir Starts stadion i Marvika |last1=Enersen |first1=Svein |last2=Sandvik |first2=Arild |last3=Svardal |first3=Asgeir |last4=Svela |first4=Elling |work=[[Fædrelandsvennen]] |date=28 September 2005 |language=no |access-date=17 April 2011 |archive-date=20 April 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110420065008/http://www.fvn.no/sport/article310949.ece |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:SoerArena.JPG|thumb|During construction]]
In October, the club stated that they hoped to finance a further expansion of the stadium to 14,000 seats by selling part of the lot to a private developer, which would use it to build a 17-story building.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fvn.no/sport/article315151.ece?redir=true |title=Stadion – slik Start ønsker |last=Sandvik |first=Arild |work=[[Fædrelandsvennen]] |date=17 October 2005 |language=no |access-date=17 April 2011 |archive-date=19 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719062906/http://www.fvn.no/sport/article315151.ece?redir=true |url-status=live }}</ref> On 23 December, Rasmussengruppen signed a contract where they bought shares worth NOK&nbsp;45 million in Start Toppfotball. In addition, they paid NOK&nbsp;15 million for the right to build {{convert|11000|m2|sp=us}} of commercial property in conjunction with the stadium, and an [[option contract|option]] to purchase the high-rise lot for NOK&nbsp;25 million. The high-rise lot was again bought from the municipality for NOK&nbsp;15 million. Combined with the free lot for the stadium, Start Toppfotball received municipal [[subsidies]] of NOK&nbsp;25 million for constructing the venue.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fvn.no/nyheter/article448553.ece?redir=true |title=Budt 30 mill. – selger for 25 |last=Reinertsen |first=Rune Øidne |work=[[Fædrelandsvennen]] |date=28 February 2007 |language=no |access-date=17 April 2011 |archive-date=19 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719062906/http://www.fvn.no/sport/article315151.ece?redir=true |url-status=live }}</ref>

A controversy arose regarding whether to lay natural or artificial turf. [[Kristofer Hæstad]], one of Start's star players, stated that he would not continue to play for the club if artificial turf was laid.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dagbladet.no/sport/2006/01/20/455318.html |title=Doffen vil stikke fra Start |last=Andresen |first=Gorm |work=[[Dagbladet]] |date=20 January 2006 |language=no |access-date=17 April 2011 |archive-date=19 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719062906/http://www.fvn.no/sport/article315151.ece?redir=true |url-status=live }}</ref> The contract with the municipality stated that the stadium would have to be built with [[artificial turf]]. In March, Start decided that they would instead lay natural grass, and if necessary pay the municipality for the cost of building another artificial turf venue.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fvn.no/nyheter/article448553.ece?redir=true |title=Budt 30 mill. – selger for 25 |last=Reinertsen |first=Rune Øidne |work=[[Fædrelandsvennen]] |date=28 February 2007 |language=no |access-date=17 April 2011 |archive-date=19 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719062906/http://www.fvn.no/sport/article315151.ece?redir=true |url-status=dead }}</ref> The name of the venue was announced on 21 October, after the club had signed a ten-year naming rights agreement with Sparebanken Sør worth NOK&nbsp;35 million.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ba.no/sport/fotball/brann/article2485181.ece?service=print |title=Vil ikke selge Brann-sjelen |last=Pamer |first=Anders |work=[[Bergensavisen]] |date=22 December 2006 |language=no |access-date=17 April 2011 |archive-date=16 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120616094606/http://www.ba.no/sport/fotball/brann/article2485181.ece?service=print |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dagbladet.no/sport/2006/10/21/480462.html |title=Starts nye stadion skal hete Sør Arena |last=Strand |first=Sigbjørn |work=[[Dagbladet]] |date=21 October 2006 |language=no |access-date=17 April 2011 |archive-date=14 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014071014/http://www.dagbladet.no/sport/2006/10/21/480462.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The rights to sell the naming rights were first transferred from the stadium owner to the company Rettighetskompaniet AS, which subsequently sold these to Sparebanken Sør.<ref name=bankrupt>{{cite web |url=http://www.nettavisen.no/sport/fotball/article3627650.ece |title=Start Stadion AS begjærer oppbud |agency=[[Norwegian News Agency]] |work=[[Nettavisen]] |date=23 May 2013 |language=no |access-date=17 November 2013 |archive-date=18 November 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20131118022652/http://www.nettavisen.no/sport/fotball/article3627650.ece |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:Sør Arena 060720085937.jpg|thumb|left|The pitch]]
Construction of the stadium was subject to significant cost overruns. These were mostly caused by the increased size of both spectator and commercial area, increased standard to VIP facilities, a general increase in construction costs, and the deadline to finish the venue in time for the league to start. Total investments exceeded NOK&nbsp;400 million, of which 250&nbsp;million was paid for by Start. This resulted in the stadium company having a debt of NOK&nbsp;173 million, in addition to NOK&nbsp;60 million in share equity.<ref name=kjempegjeld /><ref name=space /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nrk.no/nyheter/distrikt/sorlandet/1.3246327 |title=Må låne mer penger |last1=Jakobsen |first1=Marianne |last2=Nilsen |first2=Anne Torhild |work=[[Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation]] |date=20 August 2007 |language=no |access-date=17 April 2011 |archive-date=2 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102145525/http://www.nrk.no/nyheter/distrikt/sorlandet/1.3970684 |url-status=live }}</ref> In November 2007, Start sold {{convert|2500|m2|sp=us}} of commercial space at the stadium for NOK&nbsp;25 million to finance part of the cost overrun.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nrk.no/nyheter/distrikt/sorlandet/1.3970684 |title=Selger deler av Sør Arena |last=Pedersen |first=Kjell |work=[[Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation]] |date=7 November 2007 |language=no |access-date=17 April 2011 |archive-date=2 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102145525/http://www.nrk.no/nyheter/distrikt/sorlandet/1.3970684 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The opening of the stadium took place on 15 April 2007, in the season's first league game, against [[Viking FK|Viking]]. The game attracted 14,448 spectators, a record attendance and the only time the venue has been sold out.<ref name=svikter>{{cite web |url=http://fotball.fvn.no/eliteserien/article83338.ece |title=Svikter Sør Arena |last=Brenne |first=Øyvind |work=[[Fædrelandsvennen]] |date=13 June 2007 |language=no |access-date=17 April 2011 |archive-date=8 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070908135730/http://fotball.fvn.no/eliteserien/article83338.ece |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fvn.no/sport/article464399.ece |title=Sør Arena er offisielt åpnet |last1=Arnli |first1=Ann Magritt |last2=Flaa |first2=Jørund |work=[[Fædrelandsvennen]] |date=15 April 2007 |language=no |access-date=17 April 2011 |archive-date=19 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719062906/http://www.fvn.no/sport/article315151.ece?redir=true |url-status=live }}</ref> After the opening, the pitch was the worst in the league, and by May the grass within the [[penalty area]]s and along the one side had been replaced.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dagbladet.no/sport/2007/05/10/500292.html |title=Været kan gjøre Start-matta enda dårligere |last=Haraldsen |first=Stian |work=[[Dagbladet]] |date=10 May 2007 |language=no |access-date=17 April 2011 |archive-date=14 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014071014/http://www.dagbladet.no/sport/2006/10/21/480462.html |url-status=live }}</ref> By 2010, the pitch quality had improved and was regarded as "world class" by the Start players.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://fotball.fvn.no/eliteserien/article171307.ece |title=Mener Sør Arena holder verdensklasse |last=Jørgensen |first=Pål |work=[[Fædrelandsvennen]] |date=6 June 2010 |language=no |access-date=17 April 2011 |archive-date=9 June 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100609042221/http://fotball.fvn.no/eliteserien/article171307.ece |url-status=dead }}</ref> The cost of preparing the pitch, including snow removal, ahead of the season is about NOK&nbsp;500,000.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nrk.no/nyheter/distrikt/sorlandet/1.7033103 |title=Svindyrt gress |last1=Raustøl |first1=Håvard |last2=Nilsen |first2=Anne Torhild |work=[[Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation]] |date=11 March 2011 |language=no |access-date=17 April 2011 |archive-date=2 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102145531/http://www.nrk.no/nyheter/distrikt/sorlandet/1.7033103 |url-status=live }}</ref> Ahead of the 2008 season, the 1,400 [[club seating|club seats]] had to be replaced for a cost of NOK&nbsp;1.5 million, because the wood in the chairs were rotting. The reason was that the chairs were designed for in-door use, and the necessary precautions to protect them when not in use had not been taken.<ref name=clubseating>{{cite web |url=http://www.nrk.no/nyheter/distrikt/sorlandet/1.6578693 |title=Start i million-krangel |last=Refset |first=Aud |work=[[Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation]] |date=23 April 2009 |language=no |access-date=17 April 2011 |archive-date=2 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102145546/http://www.nrk.no/nyheter/distrikt/sorlandet/1.6578693 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The stadium had a book value of NOK&nbsp;230 million, way over the real value, causing Start Toppfotball to have to write down the investment. To finance this, Sparebanken Sør, the main creditor, bought Start Stadion from Start Toppfotball for NOK&nbsp;2,600 on 23 December 2008.<ref name=arvesolvet>{{cite web |url=http://fotball.fvn.no/eliteserien/article131446.ece |title=Start solgte arvesølvet |last=Jørgensen |first=Pål |work=[[Fædrelandsvennen]] |date=7 March 2009 |language=no |access-date=17 April 2011 |archive-date=10 March 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090310042633/http://fotball.fvn.no/eliteserien/article131446.ece |url-status=dead }}</ref> At the same time, the club signed a 40-year agreement to [[lease]] the stadium from Sparebanken Sør for NOK&nbsp;12 million per year.<ref name=arvesolvet /><ref name=takkernei>{{cite web |url=http://fotball.fvn.no/eliteserien/article140525.ece |title=Takker nei til kjøp av Sør Arena |last=Uleberg |first=Odd I. R. |work=[[Fædrelandsvennen]] |date=29 May 2009 |language=no |access-date=17 April 2011 |archive-date=1 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111001082806/http://fotball.fvn.no/eliteserien/article140525.ece |url-status=dead }}</ref> On 7 March 2009, the bank also bought the remaining shares of Start Toppfotball, becoming the sole owner of both the club and the stadium.<ref name=arvesolvet /> Sparebanken Sør offered to sell Sparebanken Sør Arena to the municipality for NOK&nbsp;100 million, but the municipality rejected this on 29 May.<ref name=takkernei /> The bank subsequently sold Start Stadion and Start Toppfotball to Ravnaas on 25 June for NOK&nbsp;1 each.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nrk.no/nyheter/distrikt/sorlandet/1.6811636 |title=Kjøpte Start for 2 kroner |last=Nilsen |first=Anne Torild |work=[[Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation]] |date=9 October 2009 |language=no |access-date=8 July 2011 |archive-date=2 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102193440/http://www.nrk.no/nyheter/distrikt/sorlandet/1.6811636 |url-status=live }}</ref> Start Stadion had at the time a debt of NOK&nbsp;34 million to Start Toppfotball, NOK&nbsp;60 million to Sparebanken Sør and NOK&nbsp;40 million to Kristiansand Municipality. Sparebanken Sør lost NOK&nbsp;80 million in their transactions with Start and Sparebanken Sør Arena.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dn.no/forsiden/naringsliv/article1694770.ece |title=Ernst Ravnaas overtar Start |last=Berglihn |first=Harald |work=[[Dagens Næringsliv]] |date=25 June 2009 |language=no |access-date=17 April 2011 |archive-date=8 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708184944/http://www.dn.no/forsiden/naringsliv/article1694770.ece |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:IK Start 08.jpg|thumb|Inside view]]

Following a fall in game attendance in [[2009 Tippeligaen|2009]] and [[2010 Tippeligaen|2010]], Start decided ahead of the [[2011 Tippeligaen|2011 season]] to reduce the stadium's capacity. Advertisement banners were sold to cover the corners, thus reducing the capacity to 11,700 tickets. The club stated that the intention was to move spectators closer together to increase the atmosphere, and at the same time making it easier to sell out the stadium.<ref name=reduserer>{{cite web |url=http://fotball.fvn.no/eliteserien/article184136.ece |title=Start reduserer publikumskapasiteten |last=Karlsen |first=Håvard |work=[[Fædrelandsvennen]] |date=28 October 2010 |language=no |access-date=17 April 2011 |archive-date=25 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725141548/http://fotball.fvn.no/eliteserien/article184136.ece |url-status=dead }}</ref> In February 2012, [[Kristiansand District Court]] sentenced Start to pay NOK&nbsp;6.4 million in value added tax on the naming rights. The club stated that they believed the naming rights were exempt.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nrk.no/nyheter/distrikt/sorlandet/1.7997401 |title=Start må betale 6.4 millioner etter nederlag i retten |work=[[Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation]] |last=Larsen |first=Lars Erik |date=15 February 2012 |access-date=15 February 2012 |archive-date=18 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120218022127/http://www.nrk.no/nyheter/distrikt/sorlandet/1.7997401 |language=no |url-status=live }}</ref> After the [[2011 Tippeligaen|2011 season]], Start was again relegated to the First Division. In an attempt to better the club's financial situation, Start agreed to lay artificial turf on Sparebanken Sør Arena, in exchange for NOK&nbsp;250,000 in municipal funding to use the stadium for recreational sports.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.dagbladet.no/2012/02/13/sport/fotball/start/sor_arena/20220617/ |title=Sør Arena blir kunstgressbane |work=[[Dagbladet]] |date=13 February 2012 |access-date=29 May 2012 |archive-date=14 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120214180238/http://www.dagbladet.no/2012/02/13/sport/fotball/start/sor_arena/20220617/ |language=no |url-status=live }}</ref> Removal of the natural pitch started on 28 May 2012.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://fotball.aftenposten.no/forstediv/article238372.ece<!--|title=Her fjernes Norges fineste gressmatte-->|title=Sør Arena blir kunstgressbane |work=[[Aftenposten]] |date=28 May 2012 |language=no |access-date=29 May 2012}}</ref>

Start won the [[2012 Norwegian First Division]] and were promoted to the top league for their [[2013 IK Start season|2013 season]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.dagbladet.no/2012/10/21/sport/fotball/tippeligaen/adeccoligaen/start/23975370/ |title=Start tilbake til Tippeligaen |work=[[Dagbladet]] |date=21 October 2012 |access-date=17 November 2013 |archive-date=16 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016155240/http://www.dagbladet.no/2012/10/21/sport/fotball/tippeligaen/adeccoligaen/start/23975370/ |language=no |url-status=live }}</ref> Start Stadion had been involved in a legal suit with the [[Norwegian Tax Administration]] over whether [[value added tax]] was to be paid for the stadium's naming rights. The company lost the case both in [[Agder Court of Appeal]] and the [[Supreme Court of Norway|Supreme Court]], resulting in the company having to pay NOK&nbsp;9 million in taxes. As the company did not have such values, it was forced to file for bankruptcy on 23 May 2013. At the time the company had a debt of NOK&nbsp;107 million.<ref name=bankrupt /> At the time the municipality has commenced negotiations with Sparebanken Sør to purchase the stadium.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.fvn.no/100Sport/fotball/eliteserien/-143007_1.snd |title=Kommunen vurderer å kjøpe Sparebanken Sør Arena |last=Lindblom |first=Frode |work=[[Fædrelandsvennen]] |date=21 May 2013 |language=no |access-date=17 November 2013 |archive-date=3 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150703090334/http://www.fvn.no/100Sport/fotball/eliteserien/-143007_1.snd |url-status=dead }}</ref> Football economist Tor Geir Kvinen stated that Sparebanken Sør had by then spent NOK&nbsp;200 million on subsidizing Start and that in reality the municipality and bank were funding the repeated deficits in the club.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.vg.no/sport/fotball/norsk/artikkel.php?artid=10135683 |title=Ekspert: – Start driver tragisk økonomistyring |work=[[Verdens Gang]] |date=7 October 2013 |access-date=17 November 2013 |archive-date=10 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131210115338/http://www.vg.no/sport/fotball/norsk/artikkel.php?artid=10135683 |language=no |url-status=live }}</ref> The municipality announced a plan in October 2013, whereby they would purchase the bank's NOK&nbsp;54 million loan for NOK&nbsp;44 million and receive all the shares in the stadium company. The bank would then buy the naming rights for ten more years for NOK&nbsp;10 million and yet unsold commercial property. The municipality would then be owed NOK&nbsp;64 million by the stadium company, up from NOK&nbsp;46 million.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.aftenposten.no/100Sport/fotball/eliteserien/Skal-hete-Sor-Arena-i-20-ar-397222_1.snd<!--|title=Her fjernes Norges fineste gressmatte-->|title=Skal hete Sør Arena i 20 år |last=Jørgensen |first=Pål |work=[[Aftenposten]] |date=10 October 2013 |language=no |access-date=17 November 2013}}</ref>

==Facilities==
[[File:Kristiansand Stadium 01.jpg|thumb|Main facade]]
The stadium has a capacity for 14,563 spectators,<ref name=svikter /> of which 1,400 are [[club seating]].<ref name=clubseating /> However, the seating is artificially reduced to 11,700.<ref name=reduserer /> Built into the stadium is {{convert|22000|m2|sp=us}} of commercial property.<ref name=space /> The venue has many architectural similarities with [[Aker Stadion]], home of [[Molde FK]], which was also designed by Kosberg.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://fotball.fvn.no/eliteserien/article78770.ece |title=Paulsen kaller Sør Arena fantastisk |last=Brenne |first=Øyvind |work=[[Fædrelandsvennen]] |date=11 April 2007 |language=no |access-date=17 April 2011 |archive-date=18 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120318223235/http://fotball.fvn.no/eliteserien/article78770.ece |url-status=dead }}</ref> During one winter, the pitch was accidentally converted to a [[bandy]] field, when it was covered with a layer of ice up to {{convert|10|cm|sp=us|0}} thick because of cold weather.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nrk.no/nyheter/distrikt/sorlandet/1.7531012 |title=Skøytebane på Sør Arena |last=Sellevold |first=Terje |work=[[Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation]] |date=2 March 2011 |language=no |access-date=17 April 2011 |archive-date=5 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110305105049/http://www.nrk.no/nyheter/distrikt/sorlandet/1.7531012 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Events==
The [[Norway national under-21 football team]] won 2–0 over [[Estonia national under-21 football team|Estonia]] at Sparebanken Sør Arena on 20 November 2007.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fotball.no/System-pages/TabellTermin/?tournamentId=39901 |title=Norge Menn U21 |publisher=[[Football Association of Norway]] |language=no |archive-date=12 May 2012 |access-date=26 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120512234353/http://www.fotball.no/System-pages/TabellTermin/?tournamentId=39901 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The stadium hosted a [[UEFA Women's Euro 2009 qualifying]] match on 3 May 2008, in which [[Norway women's national football team|Norway]] beat [[Israel women's national football team|Israel]] 7–0.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/womenseuropeanqualifiers/match/85494--norway-vs-israel/ |title=Norway maintain perfect record |publisher=[[UEFA]] |date=3 May 2008 |access-date=18 November 2013}}</ref> The final in the [[2011–13 International Challenge Trophy]] was held at the stadium on 14 August 2013, in which the [[Norway national under-23 football team]] lost 0–1 in extra time against [[Turkey A2 national football team|Turkey A2]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tff.org/default.aspx?pageID=471&ftxtID=18701 |title=A2 National Team win Int'l Challenge Trophy |publisher=[[Turkish Football Federation]] |access-date=18 November 2013}}</ref>

Concerts held at the stadium have included [[Elton John]] in 2007, which attracted a crowd of 19,000,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fvn.no/kultur/musikk/article489434.ece |title=En lykkekveld på Sør Arena |last=Syvertsen |first=Emil Otto |work=[[Fædrelandsvennen]] |date=26 June 2007 |language=no |access-date=17 April 2011 |archive-date=19 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719062952/http://www.fvn.no/kultur/musikk/article489434.ece |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Dolly Parton]] in 2008<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fvn.no/kultur/musikk/article534576.ece?redir=true |title=Sir Elton John spiller på Sør Arena |last=Eikeland |first=Torgeir |work=[[Fædrelandsvennen]] |date=27 November 2007 |language=no |access-date=17 April 2011 |archive-date=19 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719063030/http://www.fvn.no/kultur/musikk/article534576.ece?redir=true |url-status=live }}</ref> and [[A-ha]] in 2010.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fvn.no/kultur/musikk/musikkanmeldelser/article792020.ece |title=Sir Elton John spiller på Sør Arena |last=Eikeland |first=Torgeir |work=[[Fædrelandsvennen]] |date=12 September 2010 |language=no |access-date=17 April 2011 |archive-date=11 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511204009/http://www.fvn.no/kultur/musikk/musikkanmeldelser/article792020.ece |url-status=live }}</ref> A 2008 tour with artists from [[Norske Talenter]] and [[Idol (Norway)|Idol]] attracted only 800 people, including free entrants.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fvn.no/kultur/article598238.ece?redir=true |title=Idol-flopp på Sør-Arena |last=Mikaelsen |first=Ingrid |work=[[Fædrelandsvennen]] |date=13 July 2008 |language=no |access-date=17 April 2011 |archive-date=19 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719063107/http://www.fvn.no/kultur/article598238.ece?redir=true |url-status=live }}</ref> From 2011, the finals in PlussbankCup, a junior football tournament held in Kristiansand, are hosted at Sparebanken Sør Arena.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fvn.no/sport/lokal_fotball/article828302.ece |title=Får innpass på Sør Arena |last=Samuelsen |first=Kjetil |work=[[Fædrelandsvennen]] |date=26 January 2011 |language=no |access-date=17 April 2011 |archive-date=11 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511204009/http://www.fvn.no/kultur/musikk/musikkanmeldelser/article792020.ece |url-status=live }}</ref>

The following list shows the average, maximum and minimum attendance for Start's home games in Eliteserien. It also gives the rank among the average attendance for the Eliteserien teams. Years in the First Division are indicated with a dagger (†).

{|class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"
|+Attendance
! Season !! Avg !! Min !! Max !! Rank !! class="unsortable" | Ref
|-
! scope=row | {{sort|2007|[[2007 Tippeligaen|2007]]}}
| align=right | {{nts|11216}} || align=right | {{nts|9056}} || align=right | {{nts|14448}} || align=right | 6 || align=center | <ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nifs.no/tilskuertall.php?land=1&t=5&fra=2007&til=2007&kamper=&sortering=avgt |title=Tilskuertall 2007 |publisher=Norsk Internasjonal Fotballstatistikk |access-date=16 November 2013}}</ref>
|-
! scope=row style="background-color: #D0E7FF" | {{sort|2008|[[2008 Norwegian First Division|2008]]}} 
| style="background-color: #D0E7FF" align=right | {{nts|7455}} || style="background-color: #D0E7FF" align=center | {{nts|5885}} || style="background-color: #D0E7FF" align=center | {{nts|13329}} || style="background-color: #D0E7FF" align=right | 1{{dagger}} || style="background-color: #D0E7FF" align=center | <ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nifs.no/tilskuertall.php?land=1&t=6&fra=2008&til=2008&kamper=&sortering=avgt |title=Tilskuertall 2008 |publisher=Norsk Internasjonal Fotballstatistikk |access-date=16 November 2013}}</ref><!--webcited, but lacks max, min<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.tv2sporten.no/jsport/aof/element.do?cmd=tournamentStatistics&teamId=305&tournamentId=2&seasonId=330 |title=Tilskuertall |work=[[TV 2 (Norway)|TV2]] |access-date=21 April 2011 |archive-date=22 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722041249/http://www.tv2sporten.no/jsport/aof/element.do?cmd=tournamentStatistics&teamId=305&tournamentId=2&seasonId=330 |url-status=live}}</ref>-->
|-
! scope=row | {{sort|2009|[[2009 Tippeligaen|2009]]}}
| align=right | {{nts|8288}} || align=right | {{nts|6627}} || align=right | {{nts|10793}} || align=right | 8 || align=center | <ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nifs.no/tilskuertall.php?land=1&t=5&fra=2009&til=2009&kamper=&sortering=avgt |title=Tilskuertall 2009 |publisher=Norsk Internasjonal Fotballstatistikk |access-date=16 November 2013}}</ref>
|-
! scope=row | {{sort|2010|[[2010 Tippeligaen|2010]]}}
| align=right | {{nts|8390}} || align=right | {{nts|6412}} || align=right | {{nts|10903}} || align=right | 7 || align=center | <ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nifs.no/tilskuertall.php?land=1&t=5&fra=2010&til=2010&kamper=&sortering=avgt |title=Tilskuertall 2010 |publisher=Norsk Internasjonal Fotballstatistikk |access-date=16 November 2013}}</ref>
|-
! scope=row | {{sort|2011|[[2011 Tippeligaen|2011]]}}
| align=right | {{nts|7056}} || align=right | {{nts|5128}} || align=right | {{nts|11419}} || align=right | 9 || align=center | <ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nifs.no/tilskuertall.php?land=1&t=5&fra=2011&til=2011&kamper=&sortering=avgt |title=Tilskuertall 2011 |publisher=Norsk Internasjonal Fotballstatistikk |access-date=16 November 2013}}</ref>
|-
! scope=row style="background-color: #D0E7FF" | {{sort|2012|[[2012 Norwegian First Division|2012]]}}
| style="background-color: #D0E7FF" align=right | {{nts|4373}} || style="background-color: #D0E7FF" align=right | {{nts|3437}} || style="background-color: #D0E7FF" align=right | {{nts|5760}} || style="background-color: #D0E7FF" align=right | 1{{dagger}} || style="background-color: #D0E7FF" align=center | <ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nifs.no/tilskuertall.php?land=1&t=6&fra=2012&til=2012&kamper=&sortering=avgt |title=Tilskuertall 2012 |publisher=Norsk Internasjonal Fotballstatistikk |access-date=16 November 2013}}</ref>
|-
! scope=row | {{sort|2013|[[2013 IK Start season|2013]]}}
| align=right | {{nts|6183}} || align=right | {{nts|4729}} || align=right | {{nts|10345}} || align=right | 8 || align=center | <ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nifs.no/tilskuertall.php?land=1&t=5&fra=2013&til=2013&kamper=&sortering=avgt |title=Tilskuertall 2013 |publisher=Norsk Internasjonal Fotballstatistikk |access-date=16 November 2013}}</ref>
|-
! scope=row | {{sort|2014|[[2014 IK Start season|2014]]}}
| align=right | {{nts|5962}} || align=right | {{nts|4768}} || align=right | {{nts|8555}} || align=right | 9 || align=center | <ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nifs.no/tilskuertall.php?land=1&t=5&fra=2014&til=2014&kamper=&sortering=avgt |title=Tilskuertall 2014 |publisher=Norsk Internasjonal Fotballstatistikk |access-date=7 April 2018}}</ref>
|-
! scope=row | {{sort|2015|[[2015 IK Start season|2015]]}}
| align=right | {{nts|6155}} || align=right | {{nts|4683}} || align=right | {{nts|9239}} || align=right | 8 || align=center | <ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nifs.no/tilskuertall.php?land=1&t=5&fra=2015&til=2015&kamper=&sortering=avgt |title=Tilskuertall 2015 |publisher=Norsk Internasjonal Fotballstatistikk |access-date=7 April 2018}}</ref>
|-
! scope=row | {{sort|2016|[[2016 IK Start season|2016]]}}
| align=right | {{nts|4466}} || align=right | {{nts|3401}} || align=right | {{nts|7273}} || align=right | 11 || align=center | <ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nifs.no/tilskuertall.php?land=1&t=5&fra=2016&til=2016&kamper=&sortering=avgt |title=Tilskuertall 2016 |publisher=Norsk Internasjonal Fotballstatistikk |access-date=7 April 2018}}</ref>
|-
! scope=row style="background-color: #D0E7FF" | {{sort|2017|[[2017 IK Start season|2017]]}}
| style="background-color: #D0E7FF" align=right | {{nts|4092}} || style="background-color: #D0E7FF" align=center | {{nts|2896}} || style="background-color: #D0E7FF" align=right | {{nts|8066}} || style="background-color: #D0E7FF" align=right | 1{{dagger}} || style="background-color: #D0E7FF" align=center | <ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nifs.no/tilskuertall.php?land=1&t=6&fra=2017&til=2017&kamper=&sortering=avgt |title=Tilskuertall 2017 |publisher=Norsk Internasjonal Fotballstatistikk |access-date=7 April 2018}}</ref>
|}

==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Commons category|Sør Arena}}

{{IK Start}}
{{1. divisjon venues}}
{{Eliteserien venues}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sor Arena}}
[[Category:Sports venues in Kristiansand]]
[[Category:Bandy venues in Norway]]
[[Category:Football venues in Norway]]
[[Category:Eliteserien venues]]
[[Category:Sports venues completed in 2007]]
[[Category:2007 establishments in Norway]]
[[Category:IK Start]]