Veltins Arena
The Veltins Arena, before 2005 known as the Arena auf Schalke, is the home of FC Schalke 04. It replaced Schalke’s previous Parkstadion. The stadium has a capacity of 61,673, of which around 16,000 standing places. The capacity is reduced for international matches to 54,142 all-seats.
Total costs of the construction of the stadium were €191 mln. It was the first stadium in Germany that was completely privately financed without government subsidies. The Veltins Arena opened on the 13th of August 2001 with a friendly three-team tournament between FC Schalke 04, Borussia Dortmund, and 1. FC Nürnberg. The first match played at the stadium was the one between Schalke 04 and Dortmund (0-0).
The stadium is one of the most technically advanced in Europe with its combination of retractable roof, slide-out pitch, and movable South Stand. It was one of the venues during the 2006 World Cup, hosting four group matches and the quarterfinal between Portugal and England (0-0). Two years earlier the 2004 Champions League final had been hosted at the stadium, which ended in FC Porto beating AS Monaco 3-0.
Getting there
The Veltins Arena lies in the north of Gelsenkirchen, located in-between the A42 and A2 motorways that cross the city from the east to the west..
From the A42 take exit 17 Gelsenkirchen-Schalke. Turn onto the Alfred-Zingler-Straße (going north of the motorway), and follow the road with a left curve for about 2 kilometres. Turn right onto the Kurt-Schumacher-Straße and continue until you see the stadium on the right hand side.
From the A2 take exit Gelsenkirchen-Buer. Turn left at the roundabout, and after a few hundred meters again left onto the Kurt-Schumacher-Straße. After a little more than a kilometre the stadium will show up on your left.
Following the Kurt-Schumacher-Straße south for about 6 kilometres brings you to Gelsenkirchen’s city centre.
The stadium can be reached by public transport taking tram line 302 from Gelsenkirchen’s mail railway station (Hauptbahnhof). Take the tram (S-bahn) in the direction of GE-Buer and get off after approximately 15 minutes at stop VELTINS-Arena. The fare is included in your match ticket.
Address: Ernst-Kuzorra-Weg 1, 45891 Gelsenkirchen
Tickets
Tickets for Schalke 04 matches can be bought in pre-sale either online, by phone +49 (0) 1805-150810 (TicketTelefon), or at the club office at the stadium.
Seats go for either €30.00, €40.00, or €50.00 with the €30.00 tickets only for the second tier. A ticket for a standing place behind the goal costs €15.00.
Schalke 04 sells out many of its matches, but tickets are often available in pre-sale.
Stadium tours
Schalke 04 offers guided stadium tours of approximately 75 minutes. The tour includes such sights as the press conference room, changing rooms and business club, and costs €9.00.
Tours generally run Tuesdays to Sundays, but can be cancelled when there is an event at the Veltins Arena. Tours run either once or twice a day, often at different hours (generally one round 2:30-3:00pm and at times one at 11:00am or noon). Check Schalke 04′s website for exact dates and hours. Reserving is required, which can be done by phone +49 (0) 3892 900 or email tour@veltins-arena.de.
The Veltins Arena also houses the Schalke-Museum which highlights the history of the club and includes the trophy room. Entrance costs €5.00, but is included in the tour fee if you take the tour. The museum is opened Tuesdays to Fridays from 10:00 am until 7:00 pm (5:00 pm between March and February). On Saturdays and Sundays the stadium opens from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm.
For more information email museum@schalke04.de or call +49 (0) 209 3892 900.
Relevant Internet links:
Schalke04.de – Official website of FC Schalke 04.
Veltins-arena.de – Official website of the Veltins Arena.
VRR.de – Journey planner and ticket information.
