Schalke Arena


A new temple for the squires
In 1991, the miners finally succeed: after three years, they are promoted back to the first division. The road there was bumpy. The first season after relegation, they almost slipped into the third division. Fans and supporters look all the more irritated when Schalke's president Günter Eichberg suddenly talks about a "Schalke 2000". As early as 1994, the president said, Schalke would be playing in a new temple. With words he paints a modern multifunctional stadium in the colours blue and white. But the prophecy was not to materialise. It was not until three years later that the idea was revived. This time by Rudi Assauer. After Schalke fought their way through the UEFA Cup in 1997, the idea was no longer dismissed as a pipe dream. Schalke is back: The giant has awoken. The new stadium right next to the Parkstadion is inaugurated in August 2001. The miners move into one of the most modern stadiums. Gelsenkirchen used to be a pioneer in the mining industry, now it is a pioneer in stadium technology. UEFA awards this marvel of steel and glass five stars. The Schalke squires have come a long way from the bumpy meadow at House Goor and the first pitch on Grenzstrasse.
Officially, 62,271 football fans can fit into the arena. The new temple with its retractable roof is not just for football. Concerts are also held here regularly. Ed Sheeran, Metallica and Bruce Springsteen, among others, have already performed here. The movable pitch makes it possible: To prevent music fans from damaging the sacred green, it is simply "parked" in front of the arena for events. Like the Parkstadion, the arena is a long way from the club's roots at Schalke Market compared to the Glückauf Stadium. To close this distance, the names of the streets around the arena are reminiscent of the time when the legend was still a living thing. Ernst Kuzorra and "Ötte" Tibulsky are just two of those who shot the Knappen from title to title at the Glückauf Stadium during the golden age. And then stayed at Schalke: Tibulsky as landlord of the clubhouse and Kuzorra as owner of his tobacco shop.