Hardturm Stadium

HISTORY
The first main stand 1933. After the previously used pitch between Hardturmstrasse and Förrlibuckstrasse became a little too tight, the Hardturm Stadium was built on the site known today as the Hardturm Area. When it opened on April 28, 1929, the stadium had a capacity of 27,500 people. The standing areas consisted of ground walls and spectators could sit on the wooden main stand or on the grass. The completely privately financed stadium was one of the most modern Swiss stadiums of the time and had the very latest communication systems.
[Translate to English:] Abendspiel Schweiz vs. Brasilien, 1956. Early on, the Hardturm Stadium had floodlights, which enabled Grasshopper Club Zürich to play regular evening matches. These were mostly friendly games against international clubs. Extract from the book «Grasshoppers - Fussball in Zürich seit 1886 (www.gc-buch.ch)»
In 1934, the Hardturm suffered a devastating fire in the stands, which also destroyed the GC archives. The new construction followed.
As a major project for a new Zurich stadium failed, the Hardturm became a World Cup stadium in 1954. A new west stand was built and the capacity increased to 35,000 spectators. The newly built stand was named after coach Willi Treml. Extract from the book «Grasshoppers - Fussball in Zürich seit 1886 (www.gc-buch.ch)»
Aerial view of the Hardturm Stadium in Zurich, taken in May 1954.
View of the Treml grandstand of the Hardturm Stadium, built in the 1950s.In June 1968, the main stand burned down again. The main stand was then rebuilt using a steel construction method and reopened in September 1969 - this part of the stadium remained in place until it was demolished.
Around 1980, the idea of a new Hardturm Stadium was born, which was to be built in four stages. The aim was a modern stadium with 38,000 spectators and many covered stands and VIP boxes. The first thing to be completed in 1985 was a new opposing stand (south). One year later, the new east stand was opened, just in time for the 100th anniversary of Grasshopper Club Zürich.
Aerial view in 1980, before the new south and east stands were built.
Aerial view in 1985, after the construction of the opposing stand.
Picture from 1993, the new opposing stand (right) and Estrade Ost (center).In 1998, the new west stand was finally completed in the third stage, replacing the previous Treml stand. The stadium now had 25,000 covered seats. This was also the last stand, as the fourth stage of the project, namely the construction of a new main stand, was never completed. Instead, the first discussions about a completely new building emerged in the 1990s.
The newly built west stand in 1998
A worker uses a jackhammer on the west stand of Zurich's Hardturm Stadium on Monday, June 23, 1997.
The Hardturm Stadium in its final form.Fans' banners at the last match in the Hardturm Stadium between GC and Xamax on Saturday, September 1, 2007. The last time the ball rolled in the Hardturm was on September 1, 2007, in the championship match between GC and Neuchatel Xamax. After the match, GC fans parted with "their" stadium. Pieces of turf and seats were up for grabs as souvenirs, and a quarter-hour film with "GC Highlights at the Hardturm Stadium" flickered across the video wall. The stadium was then closed for good and demolished a year later. After several attempts, a new football stadium is now to be built on the same site for the two Zurich football clubs.
Since its demolition, the Hardturm Stadium no longer exists. What remains are the memories of one of the most legendary stadiums in Swiss football. And the longing to return to GC's home ground.
Eight years after the last match at the Hardturm, a legends game took place between GC Zurich and Neuchâtel Xamax. Around 2,500 spectators were in attendance. It is to this day the last football match played at the Hardturm.
Hardturm-Impressions
The Grasshoppers team poses in the Hardturm before the 1933 Cup Final against FC Basel. Grasshopper Club Zurich becomes Swiss champions again. A player is presented with the championship trophy and cup at the Hardturm Stadium in Zurich on May 27, 1939. GC legend Alfred "Fredi" Bickel at a match at the Hardturm Stadium in 1948. Bickel (1918-1999) took part in the 1938 and 1950 World Cup finals with the Swiss national team and led the Hoppers to seven league titles and eight cup wins. View of the Treml stand at the Hardturm Stadium, which was built in the 1950s. The stand was named after GC's coach at the time, Willi Treml. Aerial view of the Hardturm Stadium in Zurich, taken in May 1954. View of the burnt stands of the Hardturm Stadium, taken on June 15, 1968 in Zurich. The cause of the fire was never clarified. Spectators with GC flag (taken on March 12, 1972) at the Hardturm Stadium during the Cup quarter-final between Grasshoppers and FC Basel. Grasshoppers celebrate winning a city derby in the National League A championship match for the first time in five years. GC wins 7:2 against FCZ at the Hardturm stadium on October 15, 1977. The captains of GC (left) and Real Madrid greet each other with a handshake at the Hardturm Stadium on November 1, 1978, before kick-off of the Champions Cup round of 16 match. GC won the match 2:0 and advanced to the quarter-finals. GC player Claudio Sulser, wearing the number 9, scores a header in the Champions Cup round of 16 against Real Madrid. GC won the match 2:0 and advanced to the quarter-finals. The Grasshoppers players celebrate in the Hardturm Stadium with the championship trophy, taken on June 11, 1983. After beating FC Winterthur in the last game of the championship, Grasshopper Club Zürich is crowned Swiss champions. Grasshoppers fans and players cheer with the championship trophy, taken on June 11, 1983 at the Hardturm Stadium. A worker uses a jackhammer on the west stand of Zurich's Hardturm Stadium on Monday, June 23, 1997. The conversion work on the stadium should be completed by spring 1999 and turn the Hardturm into a modern all-round stadium with 25,000 covered seats. The GC logo above the seats of the media representatives in the middle of the main stand of the Hardturm Stadium, taken on February 4, 1992 in Zurich. On June 8, 1991, Grasshoppers became Swiss champions for the 22nd time. The Zurich team won 3:2 at home on Saturday at the Hardturm in a spectacular championship final against Sion, taking the trophy one round before the end of the championship. The GC team celebrates winning the Swiss football championship at the Hardturm Stadium on May 27, 1995. Grasshoppers juniors take a look at the newly built west stand of the Hardturm Stadium, taken on July 10, 1998. Nunez defeats Taini in what is probably the most legendary match in Swiss football history. The 6-5 win in the cup semi-final against city rivals FCZ at the Hardtrum means the team reaches the cup final. Fans' banners at the last match in the Hardturm Stadium between GC and Xamax on Saturday, September 1, 2007. "Back in the Hardturm" - August 2017.