LVM-Preußenstadion – design description

How does the Preußenstadion redevelopment project look in brief?

Plans for a new stadium for Preußen Münster date back to the late 20th century, and the project’s long and intricate history has even been documented in a book. The final vision calls for a complete reconstruction of the existing Preußenstadion, giving it a classic football-oriented design and a capacity exceeding 19,000 seats.

The new main (southern) stand was already built in 2009 and will be the only element of the existing structure to be retained in the new project. The other stands, along with the athletics track, will be removed and replaced with three new stands.

The redevelopment was symbolically inaugurated in June 2022, after which the western stand was dismantled over the following months. The main contractor, however, was only selected in 2024, and the main construction phase began in early 2025.

The first new stand to be completed was the western stand, which opened at the start of the 2025/26 season. The eastern stand is expected to be ready in 2026, the northern in 2027, and the entire project should be completed no later than February 2028.

During the redevelopment, Preußen Münster will continue to play matches at the stadium. In 2024, the club was promoted to the 2. Bundesliga. The year 2026 will mark both the stadium’s 100th anniversary and the club’s 120th anniversary.

What is the Preußenstadion like?

Preußenstadion opened in 1926 and was considered one of the most modern stadiums in Germany at the time. The facility suffered significant damage during World War II. After reconstruction, it could accommodate up to 40,000 spectators, although its capacity was gradually reduced over time.

Before the current redevelopment, the stadium had an athletics track with stands built around it.

The stadium is home to Preußen Münster, which was founded in 1906 and was one of the founding members of the Bundesliga in 1963. The 1963/64 season remains the only season in which the team played in the Bundesliga. In 2024, the club returned to the 2. Bundesliga, reaching the second tier of German football for the first time since 1991.

What is the history of the Preußenstadion redevelopment plans?

When were the first concrete plans for a new Preußen Münster stadium drawn up?

In the 1990s, advanced plans existed to replace the old Preußenstadion with a new, football-specific stadium. The new facility was intended to be built on the same site, along with a shopping center, as part of an agreement between the city and a private investor.

The project drew criticism from local shopkeepers, and the initiative was ultimately halted by a court case filed by a resident. The objection was based on the fact that the plans did not include sufficient measures to mitigate the negative effects of increased traffic and excessive noise.

What modernizations were carried out at Preußenstadion in the 21st century?

Instead of building a new stadium, Preußenstadion underwent modernization in 2008–2009: a completely new main (southern) stand was constructed, and the opposite stand was covered. By 2012, a new scoreboard, updated lighting, and a heated pitch had also been installed.

How did plans for the stadium’s future develop?

In the following years, further renovations at Preußenstadion were considered. The first phase was to include a new stand behind the western goal. By the end of 2014, a plan for a complete reconstruction of the entire stadium had been developed.

However, these plans were never realized. In October 2016, the club began considering building a new stadium at a different location. The proposed stadium would have had a capacity of 40,000 and a projected cost of €80 million. Initially, the site near the airport was considered, but it was deemed too far from the city, so these plans were eventually abandoned.

Another proposed location was on Nieberdingerstraße, and later the city suggested 24 alternative sites. In 2018, the club even considered building the stadium in the town of Senden, several kilometers away.

The long and complex process leading to the stadium’s redevelopment, along with its history and other aspects, was even the subject of a book: Das neue Preußenstadion in Münster by Carsten Schulte, which was published in March 2023.

When was the new Preußenstadion redevelopment plan created?

At the end of 2018, plans to build a completely new stadium were abandoned. On 23 November 2018, the city and the club announced that further modernization of Preußenstadion would take place, and in December 2018 the City Council approved funding of €40.25 million for this purpose. The city and the club confirmed the initiative in a letter of intent, signed on 1 February 2019. The project was also set to include a new youth center.

In August 2019, the city commissioned a feasibility study, which was carried out by Albert Speer + Partner. The results were published in April 2020. At the same time, visualizations of the redeveloped stadium, created by Drees & Sommer, were released.

In December 2021, a new, updated feasibility study prepared by Drees & Sommer was published, along with updated visualizations.

How is the Preußenstadion redevelopment progressing?

When did the first redevelopment work begin?

On 9 June 2022, a symbolic groundbreaking ceremony took place, marking the official start of the stadium redevelopment. In practice, this initially involved only the demolition of the western stand, while all subsequent work was still in the planning stage.

The demolition of the western stand was completed in November 2022. Behind the goal line, a temporary acoustic screen was erected, on which a video board was mounted. In spring 2023, it was also decorated with images of former club players. The away fans’ section, previously located in the demolished stand, was temporarily relocated to the western part of the northern stand.

What happened next in the redevelopment of Preußenstadion?

On 15 November 2022, the City Council approved additional funds for the redevelopment, increasing the city’s contribution to €65 million. On 24 April 2024, a further €23 million was approved, bringing the total funding to €88 million.

In spring 2023, procedures began to select the main contractor for the redevelopment. On 16 September 2024, it was announced that Hellmich Unternehmensgruppe would be awarded the contract. At the same time, new visualizations were released, according to the concept developed by Architektur Concept Pfaffhausen + Kollegen.

On 18 May 2024, Preußen Münster, as a newly promoted team in the 3. Bundesliga, secured promotion to the 2. Bundesliga, where the club had not played since 1991. The stadium did not yet meet all the requirements for this level, but because the redevelopment was already planned, the club was able to obtain a conditional license.

How is the main phase of the Preußenstadion redevelopment progressing?

What is the redevelopment schedule?

The schedule foresees the construction of a new stand behind the western goal in 2025, behind the eastern goal in 2026, and a new northern stand in 2027. Finishing works, especially on the northern stand, are expected to be completed by February 2028. Throughout the construction period, the stadium is to remain fully functional.

How is the work at Preußenstadion progressing?

After the demolition of the western stand in 2022, no further work was carried out for some time. Following the selection of the main contractor in 2024, construction of the new western stand only began at the start of 2025.

In February 2025, a title sponsor for the stadium was announced: the insurance company LVM Versicherung. The agreement runs until the end of the 2033/34 season, and the stadium was renamed LVM-Preußenstadion.

The new western stand (including the away fans’ section) was completed several months ahead of schedule and was ready for the first home match of the 2025/26 season on 8 August 2025 (1–1 vs. SC Paderborn 07). Before the stand’s opening, its naming rights were acquired by the local real estate company Heimathafen Immobilien, and the stand was named Heimathafen-Immo Tribüne.

In May 2025, the eastern stand, known as the Fiffi-Gerritzen-Kurve, was bid farewell. Its demolition began in June, followed by construction of the new eastern stand. Due to the fast pace of work, its opening is now planned for the start of the 2026/27 season, earlier than the initially planned end of 2026.

It is also worth noting that in 2026, the stadium will celebrate its 100th anniversary, while Preußen Münster marks its 120th year.

A report on the redevelopment of the Preußenstadion can be found on a dedicated webpage

How much will the Preußenstadion redevelopment cost?

The feasibility study prepared by Albert Speer + Partner in 2020 estimated the project costs: €37.4–47.8 million for the stadium itself, and €86.8–97.2 million for the entire investment (variations were due to different design options and optional features).

After the City Council approved additional funds in April 2024, the city’s contribution now stands at €88 million, which is also expected to be the total cost of the entire project.

What does the Preußenstadion redevelopment project involve?

The main goal of the redevelopment is to retain the main (southern) stand, opened in 2009, and to build new stands on the other three sides. The athletics track will be removed, and the stands will be brought closer to the pitch, creating a classic football-oriented, rectangular layout. The new northern stand will also include additional facilities.

The stand behind the eastern goal will be reserved for the most passionate SC Preußen supporters. It will feature standing areas, allowing it to accommodate up to 8,700 spectators. The away fans’ section will be located behind the western goal.

Corner stands will only be added on the northern side, connecting the three new stands. On the sides of the “old” southern stand, there will be no spectator seating: the southwest corner will remain undeveloped, while on the opposite side a building will be constructed containing the club offices and a kindergarten.

The facade of the new northern stand will have a representative design, with decorative vertical slats. All stands will be covered, and the stadium’s total capacity will exceed 19,000. The stadium will also include new boxes and hospitality areas, as well as kiosks, toilets, and accessible seating for spectators with disabilities.

The compact, enclosed structure is designed to help reduce noise escaping from the stadium. Particular attention has been paid to this aspect, as excessive noise was previously a reason for limiting capacity at the old stadium and contributed to the failure of plans to build a new stadium at the turn of the 20th and 21st centuries.

The concept also includes a range of eco-friendly and energy-efficient solutions in line with sustainable development principles, such as photovoltaic panels on the roof.

What additional investments are planned alongside the Preußenstadion redevelopment?

One of the most important supplementary projects is the creation of a youth training center, which is a requirement for 2. Bundesliga clubs. Changes will also take place throughout the stadium’s surroundings, including the construction of additional facilities and the creation of 6,990 bicycle parking spaces.