The Largest Football Stadiums in Germany

Arenas at football matches are traditionally almost completely filled - rarely less than 90% of fans come to the game. This applies both to the top division and the lower leagues, where teams from smaller cities play.

Here are the main German football stadiums.

Signal Iduna Park

The largest stadium in Germany isn't in the capital Berlin or in Munich, where the most titled club, Bayern, plays. The maximum number of fans can be accommodated at Dortmund's Signal Iduna Park, where Borussia Dortmund plays its home games.

The stadium was built in 1971 and opened for the FIFA World Cup. At the World Cup it hosted 54,000 spectators.

In 2001, the stadium in Dortmund hosted one of the most prolific finals of the European Cup tournament. In the fight for the UEFA Cup Liverpool beat Alaves (5:4).

Since the mid-1990s it has undergone renovations, with the stands gradually enlarging. The last stage was timed to coincide with the 2006 FIFA World Cup, after which the stands at Signal Iduna Park seated 81,365 spectators.

In parallel with the modernization, the following tasks were solved:

Setting up of an electronic entry system for fans.

The VIP sector was renewed.

The number of seats for people with disabilities was increased.

Until 2005 the "Signal Iduna Park" was called "Westfalenstadion". The renaming occurred after the contract with Signal Iduna insurance company for 20 million euros.

Despite the solid profits, many fans were skeptical of the idea, accusing the management of departing from the traditions of the club.

Allianz Arena

Germany's second largest football stadium is located in the north of Munich and has a capacity of 75,000 fans, and this number can be compared to the number of people visiting this

daily.

Its construction began in 2002 and was completed by 2005. Originally it was owned by Bayern and the Munich 1860 club, but then the Reds bought out the lions' share and became the sole owners.

During the construction, an unusual technology was used - the roof and the facade were made of cushions, which are dry air under pressure, it took more than 2,500 of them.

They consist of a modern material with a thickness of 0.2 mm. Each cushion glows in a different color depending on which team is playing - Bayern or the German national team, which comes here often.

Olympiastadion

This arena in the capital is home to Hertha and the Bundestim. Its construction was completed in 1936 for the Summer Olympics, and today it seats 74,475 spectators.

The Berlin stadium has hosted two World Cup matches, including the final in 2006, in which Italy beat France in a penalty shootout.

It was at the Olympiastadion that the famous scandal between Zidane and Materazzi took place, ending with the suspension of the Frenchman.

In 2015, it hosted the final of the Champions League. The trophy was won by Barcelona, which defeated Juventus (3-1).

Veltins Arena

Schalke 04 club's home arena accommodates 62,271 fans. It was erected in Gelsenkirchen in 2001, the current name was given by a sponsorship contract with the Veltins brewing company.

Since 2002, the Veltins Arena has been hosting the traditional Christmas Race of Biathlon Stars.

World Championships in 2006 and World Hockey Championship games in 2010 were held here. The hockey box was installed instead of the football pitch.

The opening match between Germany and the United States drew 77,803 spectators, which was a world record for an ice hockey game.

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