Deutsche Bank Park – design description

When were the plans for the expansion of the Eintracht Frankfurt stadium created?

Waldstadion in Frankfurt am Main (commercially Deutsche Bank Park, from 2005 to 2020 name Commerzbank Arena applied) was built in 1925. Over the years, the venue has been modernised and extended several times.

Before the 2006 World Cup, the stadium was completely rebuilt. The old stands, which were partially supported by an earth bank, were replaced by completely new, steep reinforced concrete structures. The athletics track was removed and the whole was topped off with a roof with an innovative closing and opening system.

It would seem that any interference with the structure of a modern, comprehensively designed arena is, if not impossible, then at least very difficult and expensive to implement. In 2015, however, there were initial reports of a possible expansion that would increase the capacity of the venue from 51 500 to around 60 000 spectators.

What are the objectives for an expansion of Eintracht Frankfurt stadium?

Any upward upgrade would have involved costly changes to the roof structure and such a solution was not considered at all. The increase in capacity was mainly to be achieved by creating more standing room by removing some of the seats.

The subject of the redevelopment was to be the stand behind the north-west goal, which seats Eintracht's most die-hard supporters. The upper tier of this stand was to be extended with additional rows in the lower section, at the expense of removing the boxes and balconies located between the upper and lower tiers of the stand.

The lower tier of this stand is already filled with a standing area for 7,000 people, while the upper tier has plastic seating, which is to be removed. After the redevelopment, there will be 12,900 standing places in the upper tier and the entire stand will hold nearly 20,000 fans, making it the second largest standing section in Germany (after the famous Südtribüne at Borussia Dortmund's stadium, which can hold 24,454 spectators).

With the redevelopment, the stadium's capacity will increase to 60,000 viewers. For international matches, where all areas must be seated, the capacity will be 50,100 spectators, 1,600 more than before. The expansion is in line with real demand; Eintracht, apart from a period of pandemic restrictions, regularly records high attendances and interest in its matches has increased even more after winning the UEFA Europa League in 2022.

Although the expansion will clearly increase the capacity of the venue, it is not expected to bring in more revenue from hosting matches, as the changes involve the removal of profitable boxes, as well as the conversion of seats into cheaper standing areas. The modernisation is an investment in fan culture (Eintracht fans are known for creating spectacular tifo displays) and will allow more people to attend matches, in addition to increasing the pool of affordable tickets.

There will be additional food and drink outlets and toilets in the redeveloped stand. New seats for the disabled will also be created. The modernisation will also include the replacement of the floodlights with LEDs. The stadium will also be provided with a rainwater storage tank and cyclists will gain new parking spaces.

What is the timetable for the work on Eintracht Frankfurt stadium?

The building permit was obtained in April 2022. The first preparatory work started in October 2022 and included the removal of elements from the balconies between the upper and lower stands. The redevelopment started in full force in November, after the start of the break in league matches related to the World Cup being played in Qatar.

When Bundesliga matches resume in January 2023, the work is to be carried out so as not to disrupt the calendar. Completion of the construction work is planned for July 2023, so that from the start of the 2023/24 season Eintracht matches can be watched from the stands by 60,000 spectators. The redevelopment will be completed around a year before Euro 2024, which is scheduled to take place in Frankfurt among other cities.

What is the cost of upgrading Deutsche Bank Park?

The cost of the modernisation is estimated to be between €10 million and €13 million, although due to soaring inflation it is likely that the bill will turn out to be higher in the end. The project is being funded by the city, which owns the stadium.