ESPRIT arena
The ESPRIT arena is the home stadium of Fortuna Düsseldorf 1895. It has a capacity of 54,600, of which 9,917 standing places.
The stadium got built between 2002 and 2004, and replaced Fortuna’s previous home the Rheinstadion. The city had hoped that the arena would be used as a playing venue during the 2006 World Cup, but it was eventually not selected. The total project costs, including surrounding infrastructure, amounted to €218 million.
The first match at the stadium, a league match between Fortuna Düsseldorf and Union Berlin (2-0), was played on the 10th of September 2004. The stadium officially opened a few months later, on the 18th of January 2005, with a friendly match between Fortuna and FC Bayern.
During the 2008/2009 season Bayer Leverkusen played half of its home matches at the ESPRIT arena while its own stadium, the BayArena, got redeveloped.
Until 2009 the stadium was named LTU Arena, but in 2009 a new sponsorship deal was agreed with clothing manufacturer Esprit.
Getting there
The ESPRIT arena is located in the north of Düsseldorf, on the banks of the river Rhine, slightly more than 5 kilometres from Düsseldorf’s historic centre, and almost 7 kilometres from the city’s main railway station (Hauptbahnhof). Düsseldorf’s International Airport lies just north-east of the stadium.
By public transport the stadium can be reached with metro (U-bahn) line U78. The station ESPRIT arena/Messe Nord is the last one on the line. The journey from Hauptbahnhof takes about 15 to 20 minutes. The train also passes station Heinrich-Heine-Allee which lies in the middle of the historic centre.
The stadium is located close to the A44 motorway (autobahn) that runs north of the city (and connects with several other motorways further east and west). Take exit 29 Messe/Arena. There are clear signs that guide you to the stadium.
Address: Arena Straße 1, 40474 Düsseldorf
Tickets
Tickets for Fortuna Düsseldorf matches can be bought online, by phone +49 (0) 1805 633 337, at the Fan-Shop at the Paul-Janes-Stadion (Flinger Broich 87), or at the tourist offices at the Hauptbahnhof and the Marktplatz 6 in the old city centre .
A standing place costs €11.00. Seats range in price from €14.00 to €38.00.
Stadium tours
The ESPRIT arena offers guided stadium tours that include access to the dressing rooms, VIP areas, press room, and players tunnel. The tours last about 90 minutes.
Tours run at irregular dates, usually during the weekend. For current dates check the website of the ESPRIT arena. Tours only leave if there is a minimum attendance of 10 people.
Reservations are required and can be made by email fuehrungen@espritarena.de or phone +49 (0) 211 1598 1266. The tour costs €8.00.
Relevant Internet links:
Fortuna-duesseldorf.de – Official website of Fortuna Düsseldorf 1895.
Espritarena.de – Official website of the ESPRIT arena.
Duesseldorf-tourismus.de – Düsseldorf tourist information.
VRR.de – Public transport information for the Rhine-Ruhr area.
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