Ulvsunda Sports Centre

In the heart of Bromma, Stockholm, a new landmark for sports, culture, and community life is taking shape. In the former industrial buildings where Pripps operated its brewery until 2004, Ulvsunda Sports Centre is now emerging – set to become one of Northern Europe’s largest and most versatile facilities for sports and physical activity.

A new meeting place for the whole city

Ulvsunda Sports Centre will be an inclusive and accessible destination for all ages. The 20,000-square-metre facility houses four full-size halls for around fifteen sports – from handball, floorball, and basketball to fencing, dance, and wrestling. One of the arenas provides seating for 2,500 spectators and meets international competition standards, making it an important addition to Stockholm’s existing venues.

The project is a collaboration between Skanska, S:t Erik Markutveckling, and White Arkitekter. Together, we are transforming a site with a rich industrial heritage into a new hub for movement and community, where cultural history drives sustainable architecture and an evolving city.

Client: Skanska
Location: Bromma, Stockholm
Status: Ongoing, opening planned for September 2026 Area: approx. 25,000 sqm Images: White Arkitekter

Flexibility is a guiding principle of the design. Retractable stands and an LED-lit floor with adaptable line markings make it possible to quickly reconfigure spaces for various sports and events.

Revitalising an industrial legacy

Transforming the old brewery into a sports facility is a complex architectural challenge. The building’s geometry, expansive glass sections, and robust materials give it a strong character that both inspires and defines the design. White has preserved the site’s cultural and historical values while opening the building up to new functions, flows, and experiences. Beyond the organised areas, there are zones dedicated to spontaneous movement. Visitors are welcomed in the entrance by an 800-square-metre activity space that invites play and joyful motion.

The ambition has been to make as few interventions as possible to preserve the existing structure, while adapting the building for future sports and movement activities. Much of the original framework remains, while additions and adjustments are designed with respect for the building’s heritage.

The façade is being restored using reclaimed brick, and several original interior features are brought back to life. A striking example is the more than 3,000 seats salvaged from Avicii Arena, now refurbished and reupholstered in the brewery’s characteristic green. In this way, history and future meet – both in expression and materiality.

Architecture shaped by movement

Accommodating nearly 25,000 square metres of sports facilities in a building never intended for athletics has required meticulous planning and creative problem-solving. Through smart spatial strategies, the design creates both clearly defined arenas and generous areas for spontaneous activity, recovery, and social interaction.

Wrestling, for example, gains new premises beneath the building’s vaulted roof with natural daylight – a striking contrast to the dark basement rooms where the sport has often been practised. A running track encircling the entire facility offers a playful training experience, where hills and stairs become natural elements along the route.

Inside, visitors encounter a warm and tactile material palette where wood plays a central role – a renewable material that reduces climate impact while reinforcing a sense of presence and care. The combination of robust industrial structures and soft wooden surfaces gives the building a renewed identity, balancing heritage with contemporary expression.

From industry to identity

The former brewery in Bromma illustrates how existing buildings can be transformed into new identity-shaping places in the city. By building on what already exists and adding architecture with low climate impact and high flexibility, a space for movement, gathering, and optimism is created.

When Ulvsunda Sports Centre is completed, it will be more than a sports arena – it will be a natural part of Stockholm’s urban fabric. A place where everyday life, history, and future meet, and where the next generation can create stories of their own.