Olympiastadion Berlin – stadium description

What is the Olympic Stadium in Berlin like in a nutshell?

The Olympic Stadium in Berlin is like few other sports venues a tangible testimony to the turbulent history of the 20th century. The stadium was built as the main venue for the 1936 Olympic Games, a competition that was steeped in ideology and is associated not only as a great sporting event, but also as a demonstration of the power of Nazi Germany, a prelude to later dramatic events.

The building is a typical example and one of the best preserved works of neo-classical Nazi architecture. The natural stone finishings, colonnades and artistic details, as well as the carefully planned axial configuration of the entire complex, were a reference to ancient Greek architecture.

The "Reichssportfeld" complex was realized with a grandeur characteristic of the megalomaniac projects of the Third Reich. Unlike the "Plan Germania" or the huge Nazi party rally grounds in Nuremberg, the vision of the "Reichssportfeld" was fully implemented.

The stadium has the status of a historic landmark, and its historic form is meticulously maintained, as exemplified by the recent modernization of 2000-2004. Although devoid of swastikas and other forbidden symbols, by its National Socialist origins the facility still arouses emotions and controversy.

The stadium was enriched with new elements, such as an elegant membrane roof, video screens, dynamic lighting and a contrasting blue running track, making it a stadium for the 21st century. With a capacity of nearly 75,000 spectators, it is also the largest stadium in Germany if only the number of seats is taken into account.

What is the history of the Olympic Stadium in Berlin?

How did the Olympic Stadium in Berlin come to be?

The creation of the Olympic Stadium in Berlin is associated with the 1936 Olympic Games, the organization of which was awarded to the German capital in 1931. Initially, the main venue for the competition was to be Deutsches Stadion, built for the 1916 Olympics (canceled due to the World War I). It was to undergo an expansion before the 1936 Games.

Plans to expand Deutsches Stadion were abandoned after the Nazis came to power in 1933, who saw an opportunity to use the Games as a propaganda tool and decided to ensure the grandeur of the event. The new Reich Chancellor, Adolf Hitler, recommended the demolition of the old stadium and the construction of a completely new, monumental Olympic Stadium.

Also slated for decommissioning was the horse racing track from 1909 (Rennbahn Grunewald), inside which the old stadium was located. The removal of the track created space for the construction of a large sports complex around the new stadium, the Reichssportfeld (now Olympiapark). The new stadium was built largely on the site of its predecessor, with a slight shift to the northeast.

Who designed the Olympic Stadium in Berlin?

The new stadium, like the entire complex, was designed by Werner March. The design was inspired by the architecture of ancient Greece. The Reichssportfeld was the first large-scale construction project undertaken by the NSDAP.

Werner March came from Charlottenburg, the Berlin district where the Olympic Stadium is located, and was the son of architect Otto March, who drew up the plans for its predecessor, the Deutsches Stadion. Werner was assisted in the design work by his brother, Walter. Before the new stadium was ordered, Werner March was also involved in planning the expansion of Deutsches Stadion.

When was the Olympic Stadium in Berlin built?

Construction work began in 1934. The scope of the work was huge and the schedule was tight, so companies were under time pressure from the very beginning, which was exacerbated by pressure from the authorities to complete the work on time. At its peak, 2,600 workers were on the site.

The investment costs amounted to 42 million Reichsmarks. Funds came from the state budget, including funds earmarked for activating the unemployed, as well as from donations.

When was the Olympic Stadium in Berlin opened?

Construction was completed on time, and the inauguration of the giant stadium was the opening ceremony of the Games, which took place on August 1, 1936. At the time of opening, the new stadium could hold up to 100,000 spectators and was unrivaled in Germany, also ranking among the largest in the world.

How did the 1936 Olympic Games go?

The 1936 Games themselves were a major event. A record number of participants took part in it, and the competition was televised for the first time (images were projected for audiences gathered in various locations in Berlin, Potsdam and Leipzig). The tradition of the Olympic torch relay, carrying the flame from Greece's Olympia, was initiated as well.

At the same time, the 1936 Olympics went down in history as the "Nazi Games" and are associated with swastikas, Nazi salutes and growing anti-Semitism in Germany.

How did the Olympic Stadium in Berlin get through World War II?

Although the stadium has continued to host sporting events since the start of World War II, it was ultimately not spared from events related to the conflict. On November 12, 1944, the square in front of the stadium was one of the 10 sites in Berlin where the last military contingents were sworn in.

During the war, a bunker was built in the stadium's underground, known as the "Blaupunkt-Bunker" (after the Blaupunkt company, which used it for armaments production). The bunker's reinforced concrete ceiling was one meter thick. The shelter was decommissioned in the early 1950s.

After the Red Army reached Berlin, heavy fighting swept through the area around the stadium. After the fighting ended, the area was full of bullet craters, scattered ammunition boxes, burned equipment, barricades and human corpses. The bell tower at Maifeld was severely damaged.

The stadium itself, however, suffered no critical damage and was able to be restored relatively quickly (unlike many other buildings in Berlin, which were turned to ruins as a result of the fighting and bombing). Removal of all the war damage to the stadium and the entire complex continued until 1965.

What was the fate of the Olympic Stadium in Berlin after World War II?

After the war, the stadium was briefly occupied by the Red Army and then by British troops, who had their Berlin headquarters in the nearby Deutsches Sportforum until German reunification.

The facility was first opened for athletic competitions for Allied soldiers, which took place on September 7-8, 1946. After the division of Germany into eastern and western part, the stadium was located within the borders of the walled western exclave – West Berlin.

In 1966 the stadium received artificial lighting - four 88-meter high masts were then erected around the venue. In 1969 the gravel surface of the athletics track was replaced with tartan.

On September 26, 1969, the match between Hertha BSC and 1. FC Köln was attended by 88,075 spectators, thus setting an attendance record for a Bundesliga match that remains unbeaten to this day.

What changes were made to the Olympic Stadium in Berlin before the 1974 World Cup?

The stadium's stands, except for a small section of the box, were initially uncovered. It was not until 1972–1973, in preparation for the 1974 World Cup, that a 25-million-mark upgrade was made, during which a new roof was constructed. The roof appeared over the central part of the stands along the pitch (on both sides) and covered some 26,000 seats.

What did the modernization of the Olympic Stadium in Berlin include before the 2006 World Cup?

Between 2000 and 2004, in preparation for the next World Cup (in 2006), the stadium underwent a major upgrade, the largest in its entire history, which cost €242 million. At the time, the bowl was deepened by 2.65 meters and the stands were rebuilt, including adding two additional rows at the bottom and installing seats.

The stone facades were meticulously restored and a new blue athletics track was created. The most visible change, however, was the new roof, which this time has covered the auditorium almost entirely. After placing the floodlights in the roof, the lighting masts that had been standing since 1966 were eliminated.

What events are held at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin?

In addition to the 1936 Olympics, the Olympic Stadium has hosted World Cup matches in 1974 and 2006 (including the 2006 final), the Champions League final in 2015, the opening match of the 2011 Women's World Cup, or the European (2018) and World (2009) athletics championships.

In 2023, the venue was the main arena for the 16th Special Olympics Summer Games. Every year, it also hosts the Internationales Stadionfest (ISTAF), a one-day athletics meeting whose traditions date back to the interwar period. The stadium has also hosted the German athletics championships, and has witnessed the breaking of world records in various competitions.

Since 1963, the stadium has been home to Hertha BSC, which joined the newly formed Bundesliga in the same year. Since 1985, the Olympic Stadium has been the permanent venue for the German Cup finals. The German national football team also plays here, and in the era before the Bundesliga, the finals of the German football championship were held at the stadium.

The stadium also hosts numerous concerts, and Pope John Paul II as well as Benedict XVI have celebrated masses here.

What interesting stories have happened at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin?

The Olympic Stadium has been the scene of many events that were very significant in their own right, but often sports competitions create extraordinary heroes and unusual situations that are particularly memorable.

Four gold medals by Jesse Owens

One such event is related to the figure of Jesse Owens, an athlete from the United States, who won four gold medals at the 1936 Olympics (in the 100m and 200m run, the long jump and the 4 × 100m relay). With four gold medals, Owens became the most successful athlete and the biggest star of these Games.

His victories were of special significance – since he was a black person, this reconciled the prevailing racist ideology in Germany. This was a time when Jews in particular were heavily discriminated in that country, resulting in, among other things, their rejection from participation in the event.

Many legends grew up around Owens' participation in the Games, such as about Hitler's refusal to shake his hand. However, these and similar stories turned out to be exaggerated or manipulated – Owens was not the victim of any attacks, and his achievements were not overlooked, in fact his name is still on the commemorative plaque at the Olympic Stadium.

However, the athlete was aware of the realities in Germany at the time. He later proudly recalled the fact that with his victories in Berlin he proved that there were no superior races.

Zidane vs Materazzi

Another event taking place at the Olympic Stadium that attracted worldwide attention was the 2006 World Cup final. The match was remembered not so much for Italy's triumph over the French after penalty kicks, but for the clash between Zinedin Zidane and Marco Materazzi.

During the extra time, between the only goal scorers in the match, there was a verbal clash, after which Zidane hit Materazzi in the chest with his head. The Italian fell to the ground and the game was stopped. The situation ended with the referee showing Zidane a red card and expelling him from the pitch.

The incident reverberated throughout the football world, especially since Zidane is considered one of the best footballers of his time. In addition, the 2006 World Cup marked the end of his playing career, and the final was his last match at the professional level.

Meanwhile, the French captain walked off the field in disgrace, passing the World Cup with his head lowered – an image that was more memorable to many fans than the goals from that match or Fabio Cannavaro raising the trophy after the game.

What does the Olympic Stadium in Berlin look like?

The stadium has an oval shape and is largely dug into the ground. Only the upper tier of the stands has been built above ground level, reaching a height of 16.37 meters (the edge of the roof is at 21.26 meters). The roof has a flat form and covers almost every seat. The building is oriented on an east-west axis, with a slight tilt.

The stands on the outside are enclosed by a colonnade, and the walls and pillars, like many other elements in the stadium, are clad in natural stone, which emphasizes the monumental, ancient style of the building. Along the top of the stands stretches a row of masts, the tallest component of the facility.

The building's simple, symmetrical form is varied by a characteristic opening in the western curve, where a section of the roof and the upper part of the stands are missing. The stands are topped by two clock towers at this spot. The entire arrangement is called "Marathontor" (Marathon Gate). Below, instead of seats for spectators, there are stairs, as well as a tunnel entrance and a platform with the Olympic torch.

The stadium is owned by the Berlin authorities, on whose behalf it is managed by Olympiastadion Berlin GmbH.

What do the stands at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin look like?

There are 31 rows on the upper tier of the stands. The lower tier is more expansive with 42 rows. The auditorium is equipped with gray folding seats, and the capacity of the venue is 74,245 spectators. A colonnade stretches between the upper and lower stands, behind which is a corridor. In the past it was possible to use it to walk around almost the entire stadium, but now part of this space is adapted for additional boxes.

Hertha's most enthusiastic supporters (ultras) customarily sit in the eastern curve (Ostkurve), while guest supporters are given seats on the west side. The Marathon Gate, located in the west, is sometimes filled with a temporary stand, which gives an additional 1500–1800 seats.

The main stand is located on the south side of the stadium. The middle part of the lower tier of this stand is the VIP zone and has a separate, cascaded form. Above the VIP zone are seats for journalists, and a building with skyboxes stretches across the top. Underneath the stands, the focal point of the VIP area is an atrium, extending 4 stories and providing a link between the most prominent boxes.

At the foot of the VIP area is the entrance for the players, who, when going to the locker rooms, first head down the stairs and, after passing through a corridor, must make their way upstairs – in which an escalator has been helping them since 2010.

Is the Olympic Stadium in Berlin the largest in Germany?

With a capacity of nearly 75,000 spectators, the stadium is only behind two venues in Germany: Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund and Allianz Arena in Munich. Both of these stadiums, however, use standing room for the league matches, and when seats are installed in these areas, their capacity decreases, making the Olympic Stadium the largest in the country in terms of seating capacity alone.

Why does the Olympic Stadium in Berlin have a blue running track?

The stadium is equipped with a tartan athletics track that draws attention with its custom blue color. The running track received its blue color during the 2000–2004 reconstruction, at the request of Hertha BSC. The track is surrounded by a ditch, hindering any possible invasion of the playing field by fans.

How is the roof at Berlin's Olympic Stadium constructed?

The stands of the stadium are almost fully covered by a roof, which was built during the 2000–2004 modernization. The roof has a flat form, and its sheathing is largely made of white membrane. The final inner section of the roof is glazed, and photovoltaic panels have been installed at the outer edge. The roof has a surface area of 37,000 sqm.

The roof structure is made of steel with a total weight of about 3,500 tons. It is rested on 132 external and 20 internal supports. The internal supports were a compromise solution – their use eliminated the need to erect additional external pillars, which would significantly interfere with the appearance of the facility, but on the other hand they are an obstruction that impedes fans' visibility.

For aesthetic purposes, a second, see-through membrane was stretched over the underside of the roof. Floodlights have been placed in the roof and two video screens have been suspended beneath it, over the north and the south stand (the latter was built later than the roof itself – in 2018). The third and largest screen is located on the eastern curve and takes the place of the former scoreboard.

What kind of lighting is the Berlin Olympic Stadium equipped with?

LED floodlights located under the roof give the playing field an illumination of 2,300 lux. In addition to match lighting, as well as the basic lighting used for the normal operations, in 2019-2020 the stadium was equipped with spectacular dynamic event lighting, allowing to create interesting choreographies and colorful illuminations on the roof and facade.

What is located in the Berlin Olympic Stadium's underground?

The stadium has an extensive underground, which is located not only under the stands, but all around the venue – its presence is reminded by the tips of ventilation shafts protruding above the ground in the form of gray, metal, cuboidal blocks. Interestingly, the kiosks in the stadium's surroundings were made to mimic these vents in appearance.

In addition to the locker rooms and VIP boxes, underground facilities include parking lots, as well as a warm-up track, chapel or police station. One of the roads by which vehicles can enter the underground leads through an old tunnel – a remnant of the previous Deutsches Stadion, for which it served as the main entrance (the tunnel was needed because the stadium was surrounded by a horse racing track).

During World War II, a bunker (known as the "Blaupunkt-Bunker") was built in the stadium's underground and arms production was carried out there. The bunker was decommissioned in the early 1950s.

Where is the Olympic Stadium in Berlin located?

The Olympic Stadium is located in the western part of Berlin, in the Westend borough, which is part of the Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf administrative district. The facility is the centerpiece of a 132-acre sports and recreation complex known as Olympiapark or Olympiagelände (originally Reichssportfeld).

The stadium, along with the Olympischer Platz and the Maifeld, is arranged in a continuous east-west axis, with the Marathon Gate opening directly onto the central section of the stands at the Maifeld with its tall bell tower.

What is the setting of the Berlin Olympic Stadium like?

The main entrance to the stadium grounds is on the east side, where the oblong square (Olympischer Platz) is located. At the entrance are two 35-meter high towers that form the so-called Olympic Gate (Olympische Tor). Between the towers the Olympic wheels are stretched. Each tower has its own name: the southern one is the "Bayernturm" (Bavarian Tower), and the northern one is the "Preußenturm" (Prussian Tower).

Two similar sets of tall towers are also located west of the stadium, near Maifeld. Their names are Friesenturm and Sachsenturm (Frisian and Saxon Tower) along with Frankenturm and Schwabenturm (Franconian and Swabian Tower).

The stadium is surrounded by a flat area covered with grass, under which underground premises are hidden. Around the stadium one can find tall stone sculptures, an Olympic bell and other details and elements of small architecture. The significance and history of the various objects are explained by information boards. Visits to the stadium are possible, including guided tours.

There is no shortage of paths, wooded areas as well as open spaces throughout the Olympic Park. The stadium is located in a former woodland area that was part of the Grunewald Forest. Architect Werner March's idea was to leave a strip of dense greenery (Grüngürtel) to surround the entire complex. This belt has been largely preserved to this day (only its southern section is partially missing).

Surrounding the Olympic Park is a subway station (U-Bahn) and a train station (S-Bahn). The S-Bahn station has as many as five platforms. Near it, south of the stadium, stands a restaurant building (the so-called Stadion-Terrassen), which was put into use in 1909, along with a horse racing track that no longer exists today.

What facilities are included in the complex around the Olympic Stadium in Berlin?

In addition to the main stadium, the Olympiapark complex includes other facilities that play important roles. Part of them hosted some of the competition during the 1936 Olympics.

Maifeld

To the west of the stadium is an expansive 112,000-square-meter field called the Mayfield (Maifeld). In addition to (as the name suggests) May Day celebrations, it was built to serve large gymnastic shows, festivals, parades, concerts or various sports activities.

In the western part of Maifeld are stands, inside of which is a hall (the so-called Langemarckhalle) honoring soldiers killed during World War I, at the Battle of Langemark (Belgium). At the center of the stand rises a distinctive bell tower (Glockenturm) more than 77 meters high.

The Waldbühne Amphitheater and Olympisches Reiterstadion

In the vicinity of Maifeld, further west, one can find the Waldbühne amphitheater, which often hosts concerts and other events. More to the south is the hippodrome (Olympisches Reiterstadion).

Swimming pool and training fields

Behind the north stand of the stadium is an outdoor Olympic swimming pool, open to the public in the summer, and farther away are the training fields (including the so-called Olympiapark-Amateurstadion with stands for 5,400 spectators, where Hertha BSC reserve team plays) and an athletics track.

Deutsches Sportforum and field hockey stadium

In the northeastern part of the establishment is a complex of buildings (the so-called Deutsches Sportforum) headlined by the "Haus des Deutschen Sports", which houses the Berlin Sports Museum. From 1952 to 1990, the headquarters of the British military forces in Berlin was located here. Closer to the main entrance of the Olympic Stadium stands the field hockey stadium.

Will a new Hertha BSC stadium be built near the Olympic Stadium in Berlin?

Hertha BSC, which plays at the Olympic Stadium, has been considering building its own football-specific stadium for some time. A number of sites were considered, even outside the city, but in the end, an Olympicpark site was considered the best option, and plans for that location began to develop.

The first plans called for construction in the western part of the complex, in 2022 there was a vision of a stadium to be built on the northern edge of Maifeld and in 2024 there were suggestions that the new facility could stand on the site of the hippodrome (Olympisches Reiterstadion). The question of building a new stadium is not yet settled, and completely new concepts may emerge.

The construction plans for Hertha BSC's new stadium can be seen on a separate subpage

What special details can be found in and around the Olympic Stadium in Berlin?

The Olympic Stadium in Berlin is a historical site and you can find many interesting details with interesting stories associated with it. Some of them are worth paying special attention to.

Memorial plaques

In the Marathon Gate, six large stone memorial plaques have been placed on the walls of the stands and clock towers, as well as seven smaller bronze plaques. The plaques are dedicated to the memory of the 1936 Olympic champions, as well as to individuals and institutions that played an important role in the history of the stadium or German sports.

Two sets of large stone plaques (three on each side) list the names of the gold medalists of the 1936 Olympic Games and mention the main organizers of those games and the builders of the stadium.

Each of the seven smaller bronze plaques depicts the image of one person. Thus honored were: Otto March, Willibald Gebhardt, Viktor von Podbielski, Graf von der Asseburg, Theodor Lewald, Carl Diem and Werner March. Four older plaques, which were created between 1913 and 1926, are located on the south side, while three newer plaques, dating from the 1960s, hang on the north wall.

In January 1992, a group of unknown perpetrators identifying themselves as "Kommando Lutz Grüttke" stole a plaque dedicated to Carl Diem, one of the main organizers of the 1936 Games. The group conditioned the return of the plaque on Berlin's withdrawal from the race to host the 2000 Olympic Games. In May 1993, police managed to find fragments of the plaque. After a new one was made, it was hung back in its place in August 1993.

Sculptures

The Olympic Park is home to numerous sculptures made of stone and bronze. The sculptures, modeled on ancient culture, are identified with National Socialist ideas, which is why they are controversial – there has even been a debate over their removal.

Of particular note are the large stone sculptures located in close proximity to the Olympic Stadium. On the eastern side one can find two sculptures by Karl Abiker – "Stafettenläufer" and "Diskuswerfer." Each of these sculptures depicts two naked figures, respectively they are relay runners (one with a baton) and discus throwers (both with a discus in their hands).

Behind the Marathon Gate, at the edge of the Maifeld, two sculptures named "Rosseführer" by Joseph Wackerle stand not far apart. Each depicts a rider leading a horse. A little farther away, spread out around the corners of the Maifeld, are the sculptures "Siegesgöttin" (goddess of victory) by Willy Meller and "Sportkameraden" (sports mates) by Josef Mages.

Olympic bell

The tower at Maifeld originally housed the Olympic bell (Olympiaglocke), which was 2.6 meters high and weighed 9.6 tons. The bell was cast in 1935 in Bochum. Since it was founded by the steel industry, it was made of steel, although bronze is the typical material for bells (due to its better sound quality). The bell was included in the logo of the 1936 Games, becoming one of their main symbols.

The tower suffered severely at the end of World War II, so it was blown up by British soldiers in 1947 – along with the bell, which survived the fall with a visible crack and could not be used again.

Concerned about scrap metal thieves, the bell was buried underground. It was unearthed in 1956 and then placed in front of the south stand of the Olympic Stadium, where today it serves as a monument and tourist attraction. The bell tower, on the other hand, was rebuilt in 1960–1962 and was fitted with a new bell, but no longer as large and grand as the original.

Podbielski Oak

At the main entrance to the stadium is a specimen of the sessile oak tree, which has been growing at this location since around 1800. This oak was named the Podbielski Oak (Podbielski-Eiche), in honor of Viktor von Podbielski, president of the German Olympic Committee, involved in the construction of the former horse racing track (Rennbahn Grunewald) and Deutsches Stadion, as well as the organization in Berlin of the would-be 1916 Olympic Games.

The oak that stands at the Olympic Gate is not the original "Podbielski Oak". The first "Podbielski Oak" stood on the western curve of the former Deutsches Stadion. When the Deutsches Stadion was demolished in 1934 to make room for the new Olympic Stadium, the tree was also removed. Another oak tree, which can still be admired today, was then named after Podbielski. The tree has the status of a natural monument.