Sturm Graz faces an unexpected venue change after UEFA mixed up the stadium for their Europa League tie against Hearts. The Austrian side, currently leading the league, will play on September 15 at Klagenfurt instead of their home ground.
What happened?
UEFA mistakenly assigned the match to Klagenfurt's stadium in its official schedule. The error was only discovered when travel arrangements were already underway. Sturm Graz had to quickly recalculate travel expenses for the squad and supporters, while many fans in Graz had already booked tickets.
How does Sturm Graz respond?
Coach Christian Ilzer stressed that the team stays flexible and focuses on the core objective: winning points regardless of the venue. "We aim to collect the three points wherever we play," Ilzer said at a brief press briefing. The club pledged to refund additional costs for ticket holders and organized a shuttle service from Graz to Klagenfurt.
Why does it matter for the season?
Sturm Graz sits atop the Bundesliga with 38 points from 22 games (12 wins, 2 draws, 8 losses) and a +7 goal difference (33 scored, 26 conceded). A win over Hearts would keep the one‑point lead over Red Bull Salzburg and boost confidence ahead of the next league match versus Austria Vienna on October 10.
What’s next?
The new venue is the Wörthersee Stadium in Klagenfurt, holding about 15 000 spectators. Fans will receive detailed travel instructions via e‑mail. Kick‑off remains scheduled for 20:00, and Sturm Graz hopes to leave the confusion behind and focus on the European challenge.
How does this affect supporters?
Sturm Graz announced it will reclaim all affected tickets and issue new ones for the Klagenfurt match. Additionally, a special travel discount back to Graz is offered so fans aren’t left with extra costs. The club asks for patience and stresses that safety remains the top priority.
