Signal Iduna Park (Westfalenstadion)
Capacity | 81 365 |
---|---|
Country | Germany |
City | Dortmund |
Clubs | BV Borussia Dortmund |
Inauguration | 1974 (Borussia Dortmund - Schalke 0-3) |
Renovations | 1995, 2002-2006 |
Cost | DM 32.7 million (1974), € 200 million (2006) |
Design | Architekten Schroder Schulte-Ladbeck Strothmann |
Address | Strobelalle 50, 44139 Dortmund |
Advertisement
Signal Iduna Park – stadium description
Already in the 1960’s there were plans to build a new ground in Dortmund. The municipality couldn’t afford that, though, and regional authorities weren’t willing to subside. Then the unexpected happened when Cologne lost their spot in 1974 World Cup host-city list and Dortmund jumped in. Along with hosting the tournament, money for a new ground came. Not as much as was planned for Cologne – instead of a big multi-use stadium worth DM60 mln, four simple stands were raised from prefabs along the pitch for half the price. Capacity stood at 54,000 and remained that way until 1990’s. Then regulations requiring more seating were introduced and forced a decrease in capacity to 42,800.
But that period was Borussia’s great run of successes both domestically and in European football. So the club, being the first one in German history, decided to finance expansion works that would bring the venue to its former number of spectators. 54,000 people could again watch BVB thanks to second tier over two stands alongside the pitch in 1995. Two years later the numbers went up one more time, now thanks to adding second tier to the north end and extending the southern stand with standing room. Since then it has been the largest standing terrace in Europe with a total of 24,454 people accommodated behind one goal only. Now renowned for great atmosphere, Sudtribune is still the biggest of its kind.
Last redevelopment so far came before Westfalenstadion’s 2nd World Cup, the one in 2006. To fulfill FIFA’s requirements corners that had been empty from 1974 were filled with seating. Building new sections was not a problem, but roof of all other stands was in the way – literally. Large supports of the roof were placed in the corners and had to be removed not to block sightlines of fans in new corners. 8 massive pylons were thus raised on the outside of the roof, bearing the weight and allowing for inner supports to be removed. For its great sightlines, steep stands and unique atmosphere this stadium is often named among best football grounds in the world.
How Signal Iduna Park compares to other Bundesliga stadiums?
Advertisement
Pictures
-
2021 © Instagram: @ahmad.h.0 2021 © Instagram: @ahmad.h.0 07.10.2014 © Udo (cc: by-nc) 03.05.2015 © werner 24.08.2014 © werner 24.10.2009 © Dirk Vorderstrasse (cc: by-sa) 06.12.2013 © floguse 12.03.2014 © Mike Zabel 26.06.2015 © blackyuuki (cc: by-nc) 08.11.2014 © muckypuppy 09.08.2015 © Stefan Klaas (cc: by-nc-nd) 08.11.2014 © muckypuppy 27.10.2012 © Groundhopping Merseburg (cc: by-nc) 27.10.2012 © Groundhopping Merseburg (cc: by-nc) 24.01.2015 © Bastian Burhouse 03.01.2016 © ruedigernuernbergphotography 08.08.2014 © Holger Schinköthe 08.08.2014 © Holger Schinköthe 08.08.2014 © Holger Schinköthe 08.08.2014 © Holger Schinköthe 26.06.2015 © blackyuuki (cc: by-nc) 27.10.2012 © Groundhopping Merseburg (cc: by-nc) 27.10.2012 © Groundhopping Merseburg (cc: by-nc) 20.04.2013 © wales-gibbons (cc: by-nc) 20.04.2013 © wales-gibbons (cc: by-nc) 20.04.2013 © wales-gibbons (cc: by-nc) 24.01.2016 © Jens Volke 24.01.2016 © Jens Volke 24.01.2016 © Jens Volke 20.04.2013 © wales-gibbons (cc: by-nc) 02.04.2011 © Fanthomas (cc: by-nc-sa) 26.02.2012 © Markus Unger (cc: by-nc) 26.02.2012 © Markus Unger (cc: by-nc) 26.11.2011 © Fanthomas (cc: by-nc-sa) 13.09.2014 © Fanthomas (cc: by-nc-sa) 12.10.2008 © Sh@tei 12.10.2008 © Sh@tei 20.03.2011 © janbecher (cc: by-nc) 20.03.2011 © janbecher (cc: by-nc) 09.08.2015 © Stefan Klaas (cc: by-nc-nd)
Related news
2022
-
Germany: The 2022/23 Bundesliga stadiums have arrived!
The next Bundesliga season, already the 60th in history, will start today. Although Robert Lewandowski will be missing from the German stadiums this time, they are still worth getting to know. We present you with venues of Europe's finest competitions. Here is our lucky 18!
-
Dortmund: Signal Iduna to pay €100 million for naming rights
It is one of the longest partnerships of its kind in the football world, and with the €100 million deal it will last until 2031. Borussia Dortmund's stadium will continue to be called Signal Iduna Park.
2021
2020
2019
2018
-
Dortmund: No major investment planned for Euro 2024
Borussia Dortmund is planning to host Euro 2024 with just one significant change at their stadium: new floodlights. All other changes would be temporary only and few concessions to UEFA are expected.
-
Euro 2024: Germany comes on top
UEFA's evaluation report suggested Germany is the favourite to host Euro 2024 with all infrastructure already in place, be it stadiums, airports or hotels. And there was no surprise, by 12 votes to 4 Germany beat Turkey and will host the tournament.
2017
-
Euro 2024: Germany confirms 10 candidate stadiums
On Friday the German football association confirmed the selection of 10 host cities and stadia for Euro 2024. No new construction and few major renovations are planned.
-
Hannover: Surprise declaration in favour of legal pyrotechnics
If there's one person you would expect to be sceptical of pyro, it's a minister of interior. But it's exactly his announcement in favour of legal flares that sparked new heated discussion in Germany.
-
Dortmund: Away fans offered beds after attack
After Borussia's game against AS Monaco was rescheduled due to terrorist attack, locals offer beds at home to supporters of the French team.
2016
-
Dortmund: (Almost) record-breaking Union invasion
Cars and trains brought about 12,000 fans from Berlin to Dortmund yesterday, the largest ever away contingent for Union. It could have been an all-time high for the German Cup, but Borussia didn’t sell out their allocation.
-
New list: These 20 clubs draw biggest crowds
Only six countries have any representation in this ranking. Here is the elite list of clubs that manage to draw 46,000 people or more every single game!
-
Germany: Wolfsburg with Germany’s best turf
Bayern overthrown, at least in terms of field quality. VfL Wolfsburg received the Pitch of the Year award, followed by 1. FSV Mainz and Borussia Dortmund. In 2. Bundesliga the award went to RB Leipzig.
-
Dortmund: Tragedy overshadows victory, Westfalenstadion in silence
During today’s Bundesliga tie between Borussia and FSV Mainz the famous Dortmund stadium became quiet after news of one supporter’s death of heart attack.
2015
-
Euro Qualifiers: England, Poland and Germany on top
Perhaps surprisingly, the three most-supported national teams during Euro 2016 qualifiers were England, Poland and Germany. In that order! Italy and Spain left well behind, while Austria strived.
-
Dortmund: Borussia invests further in Westfalenstadion
Capacity to grow, comfort to improve and Wi-Fi to… slow down. These are just some of the changes expected in the 2015/16 campaign. Find all alterations here!
-
10+ Ranking 2015: Attendances in Europe (Part 2. The Clubs)
Borussia, Barca and Man United – lovely dominant trio. But it wasn’t them who gained most fans last season. Check all 217 clubs that draw an average crowd of 10,000+!
-
10+ Ranking 2015: Attendances in Europe (Part 1. The Leagues)
Numbers don’t lie: French Ligue 1 outgrew Italian Serie A as Europe’s fourth largest league. Premier League seems unlikely to catch up to Bundesliga, while Turkey, Ukraine and Scotland are down.
-
Dortmund: Borussia increase Westfalenstadion capacity
They’re already the most attended football club in Europe. Now Borussia Dortmund want to improve their stats by converting additional seats to terracing.
-
Germany: These are the best Bundesliga fields
For the second consecutive year Allianz Arena was selected as one of the best fields in Germany. In the 2. Bundesliga Karlsruhe grabbed the lead. Find out who came second!