Instead of climbing back to Bundesliga they just got relegated to 3. Liga. Does Karlsruher SC actually need a stadium for 35,000 people at this point?

According to plans we should know the final design and contractor of Karlsruhe’s new stadium by year end. Construction is expected to begin in early 2018. However, new questions arise as Karlsruher SC have been relegated to 3. Liga.

Do they even need capacity of 35,000 with prospect of fighting in the lowest nationwide league? Already now the Green party in Karlsruhe’s city council is suggesting amendments to the stadium in order to cut down on expense.

However, the €113-million project (including neighbouring infrastructure) is extremely unlikely to change at this point. The design/construction tender is well underway, the city hall has already spent money and scrapping or significantly changing the procedure could result in necessity of beginning from scratch under EU law.

Also, the stadium will not be financed by Karlsruher SC directly, even if the club are expected to contribute significantly in the long run. As a municipal project, it was announced to go forward even if the team indeed would get relegated.

That said, it’s still a very sad turn of events that a stadium expected for years will only get under construction once its future tenant plays in 3. Liga.