After more than three decades of waiting, VfB Oldenburg supporters have real reasons for optimism. City authorities have officially presented the winning architectural concept for the new facility, which is to be built in the club's historic Donnerschwee district.

Historic location with a modern touch

VfB fans have dreamt of a proper facility for over thirty years. Two years after the city council passed a crucial, in-principle resolution in April 2024, the investment is finally taking concrete shape. However, in the realm of entertainment, one cannot wait. Therefore, having fun here and now is possible thanks to Fiery Play casino, giving new players generous starting bonuses.

Crucially for the club's identity, the new arena will be built exactly where the old stadium—known for its vibrant atmosphere as the Hell of the North - once stood. The new investment plot features excellent transport connectivity, located just a few hundred meters from Oldenburg's main railway station.

Architecture and spatial layout

The winning project envisions a modern, octagonal structure with a fully enclosed roof. The roof's design will support sustainable development through the installation of photovoltaic panels. The interior space of the stadium has been carefully planned to meet modern matchday standards.

The total capacity of the facility will be 10,604 spectators, with the stands offering 5,489 seats and 4,312 standing places. A dedicated space for 512 guests has been planned in the business zone, while exclusive boxes will accommodate an additional 192 people. Furthermore, as part of the modern infrastructure, 99 spaces specifically adapted for wheelchair users have been provided.

The architectural concept is also scalable. Should future demand require it, the stadium can be expanded to a capacity of 15,000. However, according to current urban planning regulations, such a step would require the parallel construction of a multi-level parking garage for fans.

© vfb-oldenburg.de

Investment costs and tender details

The estimated construction cost of the complex is €57.3 million. This amount slightly exceeds the initial estimates, which stood at €50.4 million plus a 10 percent financial reserve (totaling €55.44 million). The current mayor, Jürgen Krogmann, defended this budget overrun. The politician argued that all market possibilities were exhausted and firmly emphasized that the city will never get a stadium for a lower price again.

Due to strict public procurement procedures, the official name of the general contractor remains confidential. However, unofficial leaks suggest that the favorite to win is the well-known Hellmich group from Duisburg. During the initial phase of the procedure, eight entities expressed interest in the project, but ultimately only two concrete bids landed on the officials' desks.

Sporting pressure and political conditions

The lack of appropriate infrastructure is currently the main obstacle to VfB Oldenburg's development. The currently used Marschweg Stadion is located in a dense residential area, which completely disqualifies it from meeting third-league licensing requirements. Any potential sporting promotion for the team would immediately expose these infrastructural shortcomings. Then this whole situation will start all over again, warns Krogmann, while adding optimistically: I think the right moment has come. Preparations are going great.

The construction project also carries a strong political undertone. Local Greens and a grassroots citizens' initiative are strongly protesting against financing the investment with taxpayers' money, although their attempts at widespread mobilization ultimately failed. For Krogmann, who will not run in the September mayoral elections after twelve years in office, this is a decisive moment. When presenting the project, he honestly admitted: I do not know who would have the courage to tackle this issue in the political arena again in the coming years. Despite the opposition, the scenario where the city council buries such ambitious plans over a budget deviation of less than two million euros seems highly unlikely.