The Ericsson Globe in Stockholm—recently rebranded as Avicii Arena—is one of the most distinctive venues in mixed martial arts due to its spherical architecture and panoramic seating. We are pretty sure it doesn’t leap to the top when one thinks of historically significant UFC venues, but it still has left a mark. Located in the Johanneshov district, the arena holds around 13,000–16,000 fans for combat sports and has been central to the UFC’s push into the Nordic market. Its design concentrates noise and sightlines toward the floor, creating an intense atmosphere when local favorites compete.
The UFC has staged multiple events at the Ericsson Globe, featuring Swedish stars like Alexander Gustafsson and Ilir Latifi on prominent cards. These events have helped elevate Scandinavian MMA, giving regional fighters a high-profile platform without requiring them to relocate to North American markets. The combination of strong local support and the novelty of the arena’s appearance on broadcasts makes Stockholm cards memorably atmospheric.
Three biggest fights at Ericsson Globe
UFC on Fuel TV 2: Gustafsson vs. Silva (April 14, 2012)
Card highlights
- Alexander Gustafsson vs. Thiago Silva
- Brian Stann vs. Alessio Sakara
- Siyar Bahadurzada vs. Paulo Thiago
Gustafsson secured a unanimous decision over Silva in front of a hometown crowd, using his reach and movement to outstrike the Brazilian and affirm his status as a rising light heavyweight contender.
UFC Fight Night: Gustafsson vs. Johnson (January 24, 2015)
Card highlights
- Alexander Gustafsson vs. Anthony “Rumble” Johnson
- Dan Henderson vs. Gegard Mousasi
- Ryan Bader vs. Phil Davis
In a shocking result for Swedish fans, Johnson stopped Gustafsson with a first-round TKO, derailing Gustafsson’s immediate title hopes and showcasing Johnson’s knockout power on foreign soil.
UFC Fight Night: Gustafsson vs. Smith (June 1, 2019)
Card highlights
- Alexander Gustafsson vs. Anthony Smith
- Jimi Manuwa vs. Aleksandar Rakic
- Makwan Amirkhani vs. Chris Fishgold
- Aleksandar Rakic vs. Jimi Manuwa
Smith submitted Gustafsson in the fourth round with a rear-naked choke, and the post-fight moment where Gustafsson left his gloves in the cage suggested a closing chapter to his storied career.
Arena information, event listings, and logistics for the Avicii Arena can be accessed via its official website.