Estonia’s national football stadium, A. Le Coq Arena, is set to become more than just the home of the country’s most important matches. Beginning this autumn, the venue will also house Estonia’s first-ever museum dedicated entirely to the sport of football.
This significant development was formalized earlier this week when the Estonian Sports and Olympic Museum (Eesti Spordi- ja Olümpiamuuseum), based in Tartu, signed a cooperation agreement with the Estonian Football Association (EJL). The museum, which will occupy a 170-square-meter space within the stadium, will be supported by a €135,000 “Museum Accelerator” grant aimed at promoting innovative cultural projects.
Siim Randoja, a board member of the Sports and Olympic Museum, emphasized that the new exhibit will highlight the themes of playfulness and collective spirit, aiming to create an engaging and interactive experience for visitors. Aivar Pohlak, President of the Estonian Football Association, underlined the broader significance of the initiative: “Mapping out and presenting the history of Estonian football in a dignified and modern way is very important. One must know history—it inspires future generations.” He added that the museum will bring increased vitality and cultural value to A. Le Coq Arena for both domestic and international audiences. Pohlak also acknowledged the longstanding cooperation between the EJL and the national sports museum as the foundation for this new endeavor.
The museum project builds on a legacy effort that began over a decade ago and culminated in 2018 with the naming of key rooms at A. Le Coq Arena after notable figures in Estonian football history. As part of its preparations, the Sports and Olympic Museum has launched a nationwide memorabilia collection campaign, encouraging individuals to contribute rare and historically significant items that may be featured in the exhibition.
When it opens later this year, the museum will serve as a landmark tribute to the evolution and impact of Estonian football, preserving its legacy and promoting its future.
Source: https://news.err.ee/1609700406/tallinn-s-a-le-coq-arena-to-host-new-football-museum
