Wohninvest Weserstadion – stadium description

Sports have been played here since 1909. However it wasn’t until 1926 that the ground received its first grandstand. Then in 1930’s the name Weserstadion became common due to proximity of Weser river. Around the same time Werder Bremen and less known Bremer SV started using the venue, with first one becoming permanent tenants and the latter moving out in 1963.

WWII period was unstable for both naming and use of the ground. In 1934 the Nazis renamed it to Bremer Kampfbahn and it became political rally spot. Then came bombardment and reconstruction after WWII. This time, however, it was used mostly for American sports and between 1945-1947 called IKE-Stadion. Then Weserstadion became prevalent once again and so it stayed.

First lighting system was installed in 1963 along with capacity increase. Another expansion came in 1965, but those were the last such works for decades. Along with standard improvements, capacity started falling in 1970’s and stopped at some 35,000 in late 1990’s – mostly due to conversion or terracing into seating. Current floodlight masts, very distinctive if not iconic, came in 1978, giving Weserstadion the most powerful lighting in Europe. In 1992 it became Germany’s first ground to have skyboxes, receiving further commercial and office space in 1997’s redevelopment of the East stand.

Capacity went up again in 2002 when athletics track was dismantled, pitch lowered and temporary seating placed in the gap, bringing fans closer to the action. A further change to 50,000 was planned for 2008, but ambitious plans had to be reduced. And so a complex revamp was carried out in 2009-2011, but capacity stayed almost unchanged. The stadium did change a lot, though. Two end stands were rebuilt, this time making Weserstadion a proper rectangular football ground without curves. Completely new roof and outer shell came along, both loaded with photovoltaic panels that allow the stadium to supply its own energy.

How Weserstadion compares to other Bundesliga stadiums?