Veltins-Arena opened on August 13, 2001, in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, replacing the old Parkstadion as the home of FC Schalke 04. Originally named Arena AufSchalke before brewery Veltins acquired naming rights in 2005, the stadium was built at a cost of about €191 million and quickly became one of the most technologically distinctive venues in European football.
What sets Veltins-Arena apart is its engineering: a retractable Teflon-coated fiberglass roof and an entire playing surface that can slide outside the stadium on rails, letting the grass get natural sunlight and allowing the arena to host concerts, ski jumping, and ice hockey without wrecking the pitch. It has since welcomed the 2004 UEFA Champions League final, matches at the 2006 FIFA World Cup, and four games at UEFA Euro 2024.
Stats at a Glance
- Team(s): FC Schalke 04
- Location: Gelsenkirchen, Germany
- Opened: August 13, 2001
- Capacity: About 62,271 (league); 54,740 for international matches
- Construction cost: About €191 million
- Notable feature: Slide-out pitch that moves outdoors on rails
The Ride Experience
Matchday at Veltins-Arena is defined by its moving parts. The retractable roof can close in about 30 minutes, and the natural-grass pitch itself slides out of the stadium on a steel tray in roughly four hours, wheeled back in once repairs or non-football events are finished. A centrally suspended scoreboard, the first of its kind in football when installed, hangs over midfield so fans get replays without craning their necks.
The atmosphere is amplified by Schalke’s famously loud supporters, and the steep bowl design keeps fans close to the action even at capacities above 60,000. Beyond league play, the arena has hosted heavyweight boxing matches, biathlon events, and major concerts, switching configurations thanks to the sliding pitch.
History and Legacy
Built between 1998 and 2001 to replace the aging Parkstadion, the venue was originally called Arena AufSchalke before the Veltins brewery took over naming rights in 2005. It set a stadium attendance record of 77,803 during the 2010 IIHF World Championship opener, showing its versatility well beyond football.
Its biggest football moment came in 2004, when it hosted the UEFA Champions League final between Porto and Monaco. It later staged five matches at the 2006 FIFA World Cup and returned to the international stage in 2024, hosting four UEFA Euro 2024 fixtures, cementing its status as one of Germany’s premier football venues.
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Veltins-Arena FAQs
How many people does Veltins-Arena hold?
Capacity is about 62,271 for German league matches, reduced to roughly 54,740 all-seated for international fixtures like UEFA Euro 2024.
Why is the pitch at Veltins-Arena able to move?
The entire grass playing surface sits on a steel tray that can slide outside the stadium on rails, a roughly four-hour process that protects the grass and frees the arena for concerts and other events.
Why was it first called Arena AufSchalke?
The stadium opened under that name in 2001; German brewery Veltins acquired the naming rights in 2005, renaming it Veltins-Arena.
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Photo: Arne Müseler from Salzburg, AT / CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.