Stadion an der Hafenstraße – design description

What are the key features of the expansion project for the Stadion an der Hafenstraße?

The Stadion an der Hafenstraße in Essen was built relatively recently, opening in the summer of 2012. In its original form, it received four free-standing stands, with no built-up corners. The planned expansion aims to fill in these missing spaces.

This will give the facility a compact, enclosed, and more attractive form, and its capacity will increase from 20,000 to 27,000 spectators. Construction of the missing corners is scheduled to begin after the 2025/26 season and be completed in 2027. The cost of the investment, estimated at €29.4 million, will be covered by the city.

Why is the Stadion an der Hafenstraße to be expanded?

What does the Stadion an der Hafenstraße look like?

The new stadium in Essen was built between 2011 and 2012 (the missing fourth stand behind one of the goals was opened in 2013), replacing the former Georg-Melches-Stadion, on the site of which it was partially built. In its original form, the facility had four free-standing, covered stands with a capacity of approximately 20,000 spectators.

Why are there no corners at the Stadion an der Hafenstraße?

In the first stage of construction, the corners were omitted to reduce investment costs. However, from the beginning, the possibility of building them was assumed, which was already taken into account at the design stage.

The design, created in 2009 by PLAN FORWARD GmbH, featured a variant with built-in corners, and during construction, foundations for potential future stands were already installed in these sections.

A further expansion stage is also possible, which would involve the construction of an additional upper tier of stands, bringing the stadium's capacity to around 35,000 spectators.

When were steps taken to build the corners at the Stadion an der Hafenstraße?

In 2020, the city began preparations to expand the stadium with the missing corners, commissioning a feasibility study. The document, prepared by W+ P Gesellschaft für Projektrealisierung mbH, was ready in early 2023 and confirmed that the investment could be carried out as planned.

Meanwhile, in 2022, Rot-Weiss Essen, the stadium’s tenant, was promoted to the national-level third division (3. Liga). The club also acquired the naming rights of the stadium (initially known as Stadion Essen) and in early 2022 replaced it with the more traditional Stadion an der Hafenstraße, which was the name of the previous stadium between 1939 and 1964.

The next step towards developing the corners of the stadium was taken on April 24, 2024, when the City Council allocated €1.15 million for the preparation of project documentation.

When was the decision made to expand the Stadion an der Hafenstraße?

On June 27, 2027, the city and the club agreed on the preliminary terms for extending the stadium lease, which expires in mid-2027.

A few days later, on July 2, 2025, the City Council made a key decision, approving plans to expand the stadium with corners. The investment is expected to cost the city nearly €30 million and will be carried out in 2026–2027.

The decision was not taken without controversy: one day earlier, the CDU broke off its coalition with the Greens, who insisted that the vote on the stadium expansion be delayed until after the local elections set for September 14, 2025.

What are the assumptions of the Stadion an der Hafenstraße expansion project?

The main assumption of the investment is the construction of the missing stands in the corners, thanks to which the facility will receive a compact, closed form. The expansion will increase the stadium's capacity to approx. 27,000 spectators (or approx. 20,000 for international matches – with seating only).

Closing the corners will have a positive effect on the acoustics and match atmosphere, while also increasing the attractiveness of the venue. In addition to the expansion of the stands, the investment will also include the construction of a building for social fan initiatives, as well as additional parking spaces for bicycles.

When will the expansion of the Stadion an der Hafenstraße take place?

Construction work is scheduled to start after the 2025/26 season and be completed in 2027. The city, which owns the stadium, will cover the investment costs estimated at €29.4 million.