Parkstadion


Magic moments, changing baths and rain showers
A new era dawns in 1963: FC Schalke 04 starts its first season in the Bundesliga as a founding member along with 15 other clubs. The first people begin to wonder whether the 34,000-seat Glückauf Stadium is still fit for purpose. Three years later, it is clear that the 1974 World Cup will be held in Germany. If Gelsenkirchen wanted to be involved as a venue, a new stadium was absolutely essential. Larger, more comfortable and safer than the old stadium had ever been. In 1967, the construction of the Parkstadion is finalised. A combined football and athletics stadium is to be built in Berger Feld, the geographical heart of the city. The ground-breaking ceremony is also a stab in many Schalke hearts: FC Schalke will leave its cradle at Schalke Market and move north. In 1972, the Knappen bring one last major title to Schalke with the DFB Cup. One year later, the time in the Parkstadion begins.
The Royal Blues moved away from their origins in the "concrete bowl" of the Parkstadion not only in terms of space, but also in sporting terms. The club could not boast many successes. From the 1980s onwards, the Knappen developed into a lift team: they were relegated three times and promoted three times. The 70,000-capacity stadium was rarely sold out. At the same time, the mining industry was in decline. The Consolidation Colliery at Schalke Market closed, and the Gutehoffnungshütte also offered less work. More and more miners and workers lost their jobs. More and more hooligans appeared in the stands. But alongside these dark sides, there were also moments of light and even great moments, such as the 6:6 against Bayern Munich in the DFB Cup semi-final. Or the home games on the way to the 1997 European Cup.
The last match in the Parkstadion once again embodied the rollercoaster of emotions that the "concrete bowl" had become: on 19 May 2001, the Knappen beat Unterhaching 5:3 and Schalke became German champions. While the first fans stuff pieces of the pitch into their pockets as a memento, Bayern's Patrick Andersson lays the ball down for a free kick in Hamburg. It's the fourth minute of stoppage time...
The rest is history. FC Bayern Munich overtake the miners by one point in the table at the last second. For exactly 4 minutes and 38 seconds, Gelsenkirchen celebrated its FC Schalke 04 as German champions before the drama took its course. Rudi Assauer said afterwards: "As of today, I no longer believe in the football gods."