Willy-Sachs-Stadion – stadium description

One of the most controversial venues we ever added as it commemorates a Nazi, member of NSDAP who paraded in an SS uniform on opening day and had the likes of Heinrich Himmler and Herman Göring among his guests. But it was Willy Sachs who actually paid for the stadium in the first place and retained patronage despite attempts to take the name down.

Opening took place in July 1936. Thankfully links to Nazi Germany ended later, though the unfortunate name comes around some times. This was the case in 2001 when Maccabi Haifa refused to play their friendly game here because of the patronage.

In Summer 2001 the ground was modernized to meet 2. Bundesliga regulations, with terracing being renovated and floodlight masts built. Thanks to these works it was among training venues for the 2006 World Cup, chosen by Tunisian national side.