Stadion Essen – stadium description

Construction started in August 2009, with dismantling of the northern terrace of Georg-Melches-Stadion. This was enough to start on three new stands up north as the new ground was to be moved onto training pitches and rotated. First stage, finished in August 2012, brought three stands with cover, and over 11,000 seats (and just over 2,000 standing places).

After opening demolition of remaining old stands of its predecessor started and along with it – construction of fourth new stand. Capacity in 2013 reached 20,650 and may be increased in two phases to even 35,000. First by adding corner sections (5,000) and second by adding a second tier throughout the ground.

Initially cost was estimated at €30 million, but in the end exceeded €40m.