Cologne Stadium – tournament stadium description

What matches will take place at Cologne Stadium during Euro 2024?

How Cologne Stadium compares to other Euro 2024 venues?

What is the history of Cologne Stadium?

The history of the stadium begins after World War I, when the Cologne authorities decided to create green areas to replace two rings of city fortifications (they were to be demolished under the terms of the Treaty of Versailles). It was decided to build a large sports complex on the outer ring, adjacent to the City Forest (Stadtwald).

Great credit for the creation of the complex went to the then mayor of Cologne, Konrad Adenauer. The complex was one of the investments implemented as part of the activation of the unemployed, and its main element was to be a large, multifunctional stadium.

The stadium was built between 1921 and 1923 and inaugurated on September 16, 1923, and the entire complex was completed over the next few years. In addition to the main stadium (Hauptkampfbahn), two smaller ones were built, as well as a cycling track, a swimming pool and extensive fields where large gymnastic shows and other events could be held. At the time of completion, it was the largest sports complex in Europe.

The stadium suffered heavily from bombing during World War II. British soldiers who took over shortly after the war ended helped to rebuild it. From 1957 the facility was equipped with floodlights.

After World War II, plans to expand the stadium began to emerge. The decision to redevelop the venue was not made until before the 1974 World Cup. However, due to the high cost, the project could not be realized and Cologne lost its status as the host city of the World Cup to Dortmund.

The reconstruction, with a slight delay (between 1973 and 1975) and in a somewhat truncated scope, was finally realized, however. Thanks to the modernization, two- tiered, covered stands were built around the entire running track.

Another major reconstruction took place before the 2006 World Cup. This time the work was carried out in time (2001–2004) and the opportunity to host World Cup matches was not lost. The modernization was carried out in stages, preserving the functionality of the facility. The reconstruction radically changed the appearance of the stadium and resulted in the creation of a completely new, football-specific arena.

What events has Cologne Stadium hosted so far?

Since the stadium's opening in its new, soccer-oriented version in 2004, the venue has hosted matches in the 2005 Confederations Cup, the 2006 World Cup, and the 2020 UEFA Europa League final (played without spectators due to the COVID-19 pandemic). Since 2010, the venue has also hosted the women's German Cup finals.

On a daily basis, the stadium is used by 1. FC Köln. In addition to football matches, the stadium also hosts other events, such as American football games, occasional ice hockey matches and numerous concerts. On August 16, 2005, one of the inaugural masses of the 20th World Youth Day took place here.

Before the great reconstruction of 2001–2004, the stadium hosted some of the matches of the 1988 European Championships. In 1974, it was also planned to host World Cup matches, but due to problems with the modernization of the stadium, the games were eventually played in Dortmund.

Before the athletics track was eliminated in the early 21st century, the German Athletics Championships were held here four times. The annual ASV-Sportfest meeting was also an important athletics event.Before World War II, the big events at the stadium were the Deutsche Kampfspiele (German Combat Sports Games) in 1926 and the Deutsche Turnfest (German Gymnastics Festival) in 1928.

What does Cologne Stadium look like?

The stadium has a rather simple, rectangular form. From the outside, no decorative facade was chosen, leaving the reinforced concrete frame of the stands' structure completely exposed. Inside, the stands are divided into two tiers (the main stand also has an additional mid-tier balcony). The entire structure is topped with a flat, largely glazed roof.

The stands are mostly equipped with red seats, and the capacity of the stadium is 50,000 spectators for league matches (including standing room). The corners of the stands at the top are not built up, creating space for four tall pylons holding up the roof structure. Attached to the pylons are sets of support cables, and the whole arrangement resembles that used in suspension bridges.

Behind the north stand, two twin brick buildings from the 1920s have been preserved. The buildings face each other with colonnaded facades that stretch along the road leading to the stadium.

The stadium looks quite original, mainly due to its four distinctive corner pylons and the elegant canopy that rises above the stands. Interesting is the similarity of the pylons to the details on the walls at the main entrance to the complex. At night the building can be illuminated in many colors.

What is the name of the stadium in Cologne?

When it was built, it was simply called the main stadium (Hauptkampfbahn). After a major reconstruction from 1973–1975, it began to be named after the district (Müngersdorfer Stadion). After another major reconstruction (2001–2004), a title sponsor came on board and the facility was renamed RheinEnergieSTADION. In time for Euro 2024, the name will change to Cologne Stadium.

What interesting facts are related to Cologne Stadium?

• Each of the stadium's pylons can be illuminated, which is used, for example, during the Advent season, when the illuminated towers simulate the candles of the Advent wreath – each Sunday of Advent another of the four towers is "lit", honoring a common custom. The stadium, albeit somewhat conventionally, thus becomes one of the largest Advent wreaths in the world
• On May 1, 1987, Pope John Paul II beatified at the stadium Edith Stein, a German philosopher of Jewish descent – a Carmelite nun who took the monastic name Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, murdered in the German Auschwitz concentration camp
• On August 5, 2007, the stadium hosted the Turkish Super Cup game, in which Fenerbahçe defeated Beşiktaş 2–1
• In 2010, the stadium was the main venue for the Gay Games, a multidisciplinary sports competition for LGBT+ people

Where is Cologne Stadium located?

The stadium is located in the Müngersdorf district, in the western part of the city, on Aachener Straße and near the City Forest (Stadtwald). The facility is part of a larger complex and is surrounded by other sports facilities, as well as park areas.