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{{Short description|Stadium in the city of Gelsenkirchen, Germany}}
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{{Weasel|date=January 2024}}
{{more citations needed|date=September 2024}}
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{{Use British English|date=August 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2021}}
{{Infobox venue
| name = Veltins-Arena
| nickname = 
| logo_image = Veltins Arena Logo.svg
| image = Veltins Arena by Arne Mueseler.jpg
| caption = 
| fullname = 
| location = [[Gelsenkirchen]], [[North Rhine-Westphalia]], Germany
| public_transit = {{rcb|Trams in Bochum|302|inline=route}} Veltins Arena
| built = 1998–2001
| opened = 13 August 2001
| renovated = 
| closed = 
| demolished = 
| owner = [[FC Schalke 04]]
| operator = FC Schalke 04
| roof = [[Retractable roof|Retractable]]
| construction_cost = €191 million
| architect = Hentrich, [[Hubert Petschnigg|Petschnigg]] und Partner<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.hpp.com/en/projekte/typologies/stadiums-and-arenas/schalke-arena.html |title= HPP Architekten, Arena AufSchalke, Multifunktionales Stadion in Gelsenkirchen |access-date= 21 November 2009 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160312073402/http://hpp.com/en/projekte/typologies/stadiums-and-arenas/schalke-arena.html |archive-date     = 12 March 2016 |url-status= dead }}</ref>
| former_names = Arena AufSchalke (2001–2005)
| website = {{URL|https://veltins-arena.de/en/}}
| tenants = [[FC Schalke 04]] (2001–present)<br/>[[Germany national football team]] (selected matches)<br/>[[FC Shakhtar Donetsk]] (2024–present, [[UEFA Champions League]] matches) {{Unbulleted list|item1_style=background-color:#ccc;|'''Major sporting events hosted'''|[[2004 UEFA Champions League final]]<br/>[[2006 FIFA World Cup]]<br/>[[2010 IIHF World Championship]]<br/>[[Euro 2024]]}}
| seating_capacity = 62,271<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kicker.de/schalke-erhoeht-stadionkapazitaet-629918/artikel|title=Schalke erhöht Stadionkapazität|website=kicker}}</ref> (League Matches),<br/> 54,740 (International Matches)<ref name="auto">{{cite web |url=https://www.kicker.de/schalke-erhoeht-stadionkapazitaet-629918/artikel |title=Schalke erhöht Stadionkapazität |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |language=de |date=30 June 2015 |website=[[Kicker (magazine)|Kicker]] |publisher=Kicker |access-date=20 July 2015}}</ref>
| record_attendance = '''Ice hockey''': 77,803 (7 May 2010, [[2010 IIHF World Championship Opening Game]])<br/>'''Football''': 62,271 (Regular sellout)
| dimensions = 105 × 68 m
| suites = 90
| elevation = 54 m
| mapframe-marker = stadium
}}
'''Arena AufSchalke''' ({{IPA|de|aˈʁeːnaː ʔaʊfˈʃalkə}}), currently known as '''Veltins-Arena''' ({{IPA|de|ˈfɛltɪnsʔaˌʁeːnaː|pron}}) for sponsorship reasons, is a [[retractable roof]] and pitch, [[association football|football]] stadium in [[Gelsenkirchen]], [[North Rhine-Westphalia]], Germany. It opened on 13 August 2001,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Arena AufSchalke Complete Guide: A Mineshaft and an Engineering Wonder |url=https://www.insidesport.com/c/stadium-sightseeing/arena-aufschalke-complete-guide/4153 |access-date=2025-10-02 |website=InsideSport.com |language=en-US}}</ref> as the new home ground for [[FC Schalke 04]]. The stadium has a capacity of 62,271 (standing and seated) for league matches and 54,740 (seated only) for international matches. It  hosted four matches at [[UEFA Euro 2024]]. The naming rights to the stadium were sold in July 2005 to the German brewery [[Veltins]].

In the late 1990s, plans emerged to construct a new stadium for Schalke 04 to replace the outdated [[Parkstadion]]. Following Schalke 04's [[1996–97 UEFA Cup]] victory and anticipating the club's 100th anniversary in 2004, a contract to build the new stadium was awarded to the German construction firm HBM in 1998. The Veltins-Arena is located near the old Parkstadion on a club-owned property known as "Berger Feld." Due to the presence of two [[mine shaft]]s beneath the site, the stadium's main axis was rotated to ensure structural integrity. The arena features a two-tier layout with a foundation of cast concrete and packed slag from steel smelting.

The Veltins-Arena features a [[Teflon]]-coated fiberglass canvas retractable roof that spans the entire venue and is supported by a rectangular truss and 24 steel pylons. The pitch can slide out of the stadium, allowing for optimal grass growth and versatility for various events. The stadium also features a centrally suspended scoreboard, a first in football stadiums. The extensive catering facilities include 15 small restaurants, 50 grilling stations, and 35 cafés, all supplied by a 5&nbsp;km beer-line capable of dispensing 52,000 liters of beer per match day.

The arena has hosted significant events, including the [[2004 UEFA Champions League final]], five matches at the [[2006 FIFA World Cup]] including a quarter-final, and the [[2010 IIHF World Championship|2010 Ice Hockey World Championship]]. It has been a venue for concerts and other sports events such as the German [[Speedway Grand Prix]] and the [[2018 German Darts Masters]]. The Veltins-Arena has inspired other stadiums, including [[State Farm Stadium]] and [[Friends Arena]], due to its innovative features like the retractable roof and slide-out pitch. The arena has hosted concerts by major artists and bands, including [[The Rolling Stones]], [[Bruce Springsteen]], [[Bon Jovi]], [[Iron Maiden]], [[Metallica]], [[AC/DC]], [[Taylor Swift]] and [[Rammstein]].

==History==
{{unreferenced section|date=September 2024}}
Plans to construct a new stadium emerged{{vague|date=January 2024|reason=how did they emerge? did they just appear?}} in the late 1990s, as fans and managers sought to move out of the outdated [[Parkstadion]], and create a modern multifunctional arena. Following Schalke 04's 1997 victory in the [[UEFA Cup]] and the club's upcoming 100th anniversary in 2004, the contract to construct a stadium was given in 1998 to the German construction firm HBM.

==Site and layout==
{{unreferenced section|date=September 2024}}
{{stack
|[[File:Veltins Arena Gelsenkirchen July 2006.jpg|thumb|Interior view.]]
[[File:Veltins-Arena Spielertunnel 2011-08-03.JPG|thumb|The players' tunnel (August 2011).]]
}}
The site chosen for Schalke 04's new stadium is in the direct vicinity of the old Parkstadion, on an extensive piece of club owned property known as the "Berger Feld". Unfortunately,{{tone inline|date=January 2024}} two mine shafts of the "Consolidation" and "Hugo" coal-mines run directly beneath this field at a depth of 800 m. These shafts (in use until 2000) would have caused unwanted shifts and tensions that could have{{according to whom|date=January 2024}} compromised the structural integrity of the stadium. To avoid this, the main axis was rotated from the classic north–south arrangement to a northeast–southwest alignment, making the arena parallel to the mines.

The Veltins-Arena was created as a multi-functional arena of two tiers that completely surround the playing field. These allow for a league capacity of 62,271 spectators (standing and seated) and an international capacity of 54,740. For league matches, the North stand is left as standing rows (capacity: 16,307) to accommodate the Schalke 04 fans,{{vague|date=January 2024|reason=why do the fans need special accommodation?}} while for international matches, these are converted to seats (capacity: 8,600). The 72 VIP lounges form a ring around the entire stadium, separating the first tier from the second tier. On the main Western grandstand, the VIP capacity is increased by a second level of lounges directly beneath the main belt.

The foundation for the stadium was created out of cast concrete and {{convert|600000|m3}} of packed [[slag]], a waste product from the steel smelting industry. These were packed into mounds to support the four main stands, which were made out of pre-fabricated, reinforced concrete sections. Leading into the four corners of the arena are {{convert|4.50|x|4.50|m|ft|adj=on|spell=us}} tunnels, which serve both as access for construction and assembly, and as ventilation for the interior.

==Roof and pitch==
{{unreferenced section|date=September 2024}}
The Veltins-Arena features a [[Teflon]]-coated fiberglass canvas retractable roof, which spans the entire stadium. The roof is supported by a rectangular truss that is suspended above the field, which is in turn connected to the main building via 24 steel pylons. The center of the roof can be opened into two halves, allowing for an opened or covered stadium, depending on weather and event. To reduce the exterior noise of up to 105 decibels during concerts, a second layer of Teflon-coated fiberglass canvas was added over the first, creating a dampening air cushion. Hanging {{convert|25|m}} over the center of the pitch are four video screens, each with a surface area of {{convert|35|m2}}. The centrally suspended scoreboard, similar to those found inside indoor sports arenas, was the first of its kind in football stadium, and has since been copied in the [[Commerzbank-Arena|Deutsche Bank Park]] in Frankfurt and the [[Esprit Arena|Merkur Spiel-Arena]] in Düsseldorf.

{{stack|[[File:2010-06-03 Arena AufSchalke 05.jpg|thumb|An exterior view of the slide out pitch, underneath the southern wing.]]}}
Like the [[Sapporo Dome]] in Japan, the [[State Farm Stadium]] and [[Allegiant Stadium]] in the U.S. and the [[GelreDome]] in the Netherlands, the Veltins-Arena features a slide-out pitch. Supported by a {{convert|11400|t|adj=on}} substructure, the playing field can be moved in and out of the stadium within four hours. This has several advantages:

*The grass playing surface can grow under normal outside conditions without suffering from a lack of circulation and light as in other arenas.
*The football pitch is not damaged during indoor events such as concerts.
*The floor of the multi-functional hall can be converted and retro-fitted within a short amount of time.
*The outside area that is not occupied by the field can be used as parking facilities for buses during football matches.

==Catering and venues==
{{unreferenced section|date=September 2024}}
To provide for over 60,000 spectators, the Veltins-Arena is equipped with an abundance{{tone inline|date=January 2024}} of [[Concession stand|catering facilities]]. With 15 small restaurants, 50 grilling stations and 35 cafés, the stadium can serve up to {{convert|2500|kg}} of sausages, 7,000 pretzels, and {{convert|1000|m2}} of pizza in one day. These catering areas are connected to a {{convert|5|km|adj=on}} long beer-line, supplying them with roughly {{convert|52000|L}} of beer per match day.

==Other events==

The Veltins-Arena has hosted major events in football and other sports. Among them was the [[2004 UEFA Champions League final]] between [[AS Monaco]] and [[FC Porto|Porto]], which drew over 53,000 spectators.{{citation needed|date=November 2024}} During the [[2024–25 UEFA Champions League]], the stadium served as the temporary home of Ukrainian side [[FC Shakhtar Donetsk|Shakhtar Donetsk]] due to the ongoing [[Russo-Ukrainian War]].<ref>{{cite news |date=2 July 2024 |title=Ukrainian champ Shakhtar Donetsk to host Champions League games in Germany at Schalke's stadium |url=https://apnews.com/article/shakhtar-donetsk-champions-league-schalke-3d485ce1a0566d17297744b788a2ad96 |publisher=Associated Press |accessdate=5 November 2024}}</ref> During the renovation of [[Esprit Arena|Rheinstadion]] in [[Düsseldorf]], the Arena served as the temporary home of the [[Rhein Fire (NFL Europe)|Rhein Fire]] of [[NFL Europe]], an [[American football]] league.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} [[World Bowl XII]] was hosted by the stadium.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} In May 2004, the Veltins-Arena hosted a pop concert, a [[Bundesliga]] match and an NFL Europe game all within 96 hours.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} Other events have included the biathlon [[World Team Challenge]] exhibition race, stock car races and operas.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} In June 2009, it was the scene of a [[list of heavyweight boxing champions|world heavyweight championship]] boxing match between [[Wladimir Klitschko]] and [[Ruslan Chagaev]], which drew an audience of 60,000.<ref>{{cite web|last=Vester|first= Mark|date=20 June 2009|url= http://www.boxingscene.com/klitschko-dominates-batters-chagaev-stoppage--20561|title=Klitschko Dominates, Batters Chagaev For The Stoppage|website=www.boxingscene.com|access-date= 18 October 2013}}</ref> The Veltins-Arena was among several venues to bid for a [[UEFA Europa League]] final or a [[UEFA Women's Champions League]] final for either 2026 or 2027.<ref>{{Cite news |date=18 July 2023 |title=Hampden bids to host European final in 2026 or 2027 |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/66231215 |access-date=2023-07-18}}</ref>
[[File:Rammstein Gelsenkirchen.jpg|thumb|Rammstein performs on the second stage at Veltins Arena, July 30, 2024]]

===2006 FIFA World Cup===
The stadium was one of the venues for the [[2006 FIFA World Cup|2006 World Cup]]. However, because FIFA controls all sponsorship associated with its tournaments (including that of competition venues),{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} the arena was called ''FIFA World Cup Stadium Gelsenkirchen'' ({{langx|de|FIFA WM-Stadion Gelsenkirchen}}; {{IPA|de|ˈfiːfa ˈvɛltmaɪ̯stɐʃaftˌʃtaːdi̯ɔn ɡɛlzn̩ˈkɪʁçn̩|}}) during the World Cup.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} [[Wayne Rooney]] was sent off for [[England]] in the quarterfinal game against [[Portugal]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2006/teams/england/5130880.stm|title=Rooney's dismissal stuns England|date=1 July 2006|via=news.bbc.co.uk}}</ref>

The following games were played at the stadium during the 2006 World Cup:

{{clear}}
{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%"
|-
!Date
!Time ([[Central European Time|CET]])
!Team #1
!Result
!Team #2
!Round
!Attendance
|-
|9 June 2006||21:00|| {{fb|POL}}||style="text-align:center;"|0–2|| {{fb|ECU}}||[[2006 FIFA World Cup Group A|Group A]]||style="text-align:center;"|52,000
|-
|12 June 2006||18:00|| {{fb|USA}}||style="text-align:center;"|0–3|| {{fb|CZE}}||[[2006 FIFA World Cup Group E|Group E]]||style="text-align:center;"|52,000
|-
|16 June 2006||15:00|| {{fb|ARG}} ||style="text-align:center;"|6–0|| {{fb|SCG}}||[[2006 FIFA World Cup Group C|Group C]]||style="text-align:center;"|52,000
|-
|21 June 2006||16:00|| {{fb|POR}}||style="text-align:center;"|2–1|| {{fb|MEX}}||[[2006 FIFA World Cup Group D|Group D]]||style="text-align:center;"|52,000
|-
|1 July 2006||17:00|| {{fb|ENG}}||style="text-align:center;"|0–0 ([[overtime (sports)|a.e.t.]]) (1–3 [[Penalty shoot-out (association football)|pen]])||{{fb|POR}} ||[[2006 FIFA World Cup knockout stage#England vs Portugal|Quarter-finals]]||style="text-align:center;"|52,000
|}

=== Speedway ===
'''2007 Speedway Grand Prix of Germany'''
[[Image:Andreas Jonsson (Mar 2007).jpg|150px|thumb|[[Andreas Jonsson]] – 2007 German SGP Winner]]
{{main|2007 Speedway Grand Prix of Germany}}
The Veltins-Arena hosted the final Grand Prix of the [[2007 Speedway Grand Prix|2007]] [[motorcycle speedway]] [[Speedway World Championship|World Championship]] season on 13 October 2007, the ''2007 Speedway Grand Prix of Germany'', the 100th Grand Prix in the history of the competition. It was billed{{by whom|date=January 2024}} as "''The richest minute in motorsport''".{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} The winner of the event won US by virtue of winning the final heat of the event, with each heat taking about one minute to complete.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} 25,000 fans saw the Grand Prix won by Swedish rider [[Andreas Jonsson]], who beat American [[Greg Hancock]], and Australians, [[Jason Crump]] and [[Leigh Adams]] in the final.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} [[Nicki Pedersen]] who went out of the competition at the semi-final stage was crowned World Champion.

The temporary speedway track at the Veltins-Arena was {{convert|300|m|yd|abbr=off}} in length.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} Andreas Jonsson and Greg Hancock jointly hold the four-lap record, having set a time of 56.9 seconds in heats 21 and 23 respectively.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.speedwayplus.com/Veltins.shtml |title=Gelsenkirchen Germany| website=Speedway Plus |access-date=21 March 2024}}</ref>

'''2008 Speedway Grand Prix of Germany'''
The Veltins-Arena was supposed to host the ''2008 Speedway Grand Prix of Germany''. It was scheduled to take place on 11 October 2008. However, the meeting was cancelled because the track (temporary) was deemed unsafe by the [[Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme]] (FIM) jury due to adverse weather conditions (even though the retractable roof was closed for the duration of laying the track). The event was re-staged at the [[Polonia Bydgoszcz Stadium|Polonia Stadium]], [[Bydgoszcz]], Poland, on 18 October and was renamed the 2008 FIM Final Speedway Grand Prix.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.speedwayworld.tv/en/news/a9493?SID=b1baa0c6cf3836a58b39dcb1b4ef7b1e | title = BSI/FIM Statement | publisher = Benfield Sports International | year = 2008 | access-date = 11 October 2008 }}{{dead link|date=October 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.speedwayworld.tv/en/sgp/a9502 | title = 2008 FIM FINAL SGP TICKETS NOW ON SALE! | publisher = Benfield Sports International | access-date = 14 October 2008 }}{{dead link|date=October 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

===2010 Ice Hockey World Championship===
The opening game of [[2010 IIHF World Championship|the 74th]] [[IIHF World Championship]] took place at Veltins-Arena on 7 May 2010. At this occasion the crowd of 77,803 set a [[List of ice hockey games with highest attendance|then World Record]] for ice hockey attendance. The host team Germany beat the United States 2–1 in overtime.{{citation needed|date=September 2024}}

===2018 German Darts Masters===
The stadium hosted the [[2018 German Darts Masters]]. The event achieved a record-breaking attendance of 20,210, the most ever at a darts event. The event was won by [[Mensur Suljović]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.pdc.tv/news/2018/06/14/world-record-crowd-german-darts-masters|title=World Record Crowd At German Darts Masters|website=PDC|date=14 June 2018 |access-date=6 March 2019}}</ref>

===UEFA Euro 2024===
The stadium was one of the venues for the UEFA Euro 2024. However, due to sponsorship contracts, the arena  used its non-sponsored name during the tournament.

The following matches were played at the stadium:
{| class="wikitable"  style="text-align:left; width:100%;"
|-
!Date
!Time ([[Central European Summer Time|CEST]])
!Team #1
!Result
!Team #2
!Round
!Spectators
|-
|16 June 2024||{{center|21:00}}||{{fb|SRB}}||style="text-align:center;"|{{center|0–1}}||{{fb|ENG}}||{{center|[[UEFA Euro 2024 Group C|Group C]]}}||style="text-align:center;"|48,953
|-
|20 June 2024||{{center|21:00}}||{{fb|ESP}}||style="text-align:center;"|{{center|1–0}}||{{fb|ITA}}||{{center|[[UEFA Euro 2024 Group B|Group B]]}}||style="text-align:center;"|49,528
|-
|26 June 2024||{{center|21:00}}||{{fb|GEO}}||style="text-align:center;"|{{center|2–0}}||{{fb|POR}}||{{center|[[UEFA Euro 2024 Group F|Group F]]}}||style="text-align:center;"|49,616
|-
|30 June 2024||{{center|18:00}}||{{fb|ENG}}||style="text-align:center;"|{{center|2–1}} {{aet}}|| {{fb|SVK}}||{{center|[[UEFA Euro 2024#Round of 16|Round of 16]]}}||style="text-align:center;"|47,244
|}

==Inspiration of other stadiums==
{{Unreferenced section|date=May 2019}}
The Veltins-Arena served as a model for [[State Farm Stadium]], which shares features with its German counterpart, such as a retractable roof and slide-out pitch. Veltins-Arena has been a source of inspiration{{vague|date=January 2024}} for [[Friends Arena]]. The arena also has ties to [[Lucas Oil Stadium]]. In that stadium, the retractable-roof also opens lengthwise from the center to the touchlines.

{{wide image|Veltins-Arena Panorama.jpg|700px|align-cap=center|An [[interior design]] panorama of the S04 Stadium Veltins-Arena}}

==Average attendances==

{{row counter|{| class{{=}}"wikitable sortable"
!Tenants!!Tier!!League season!!Home games!!Average attendance<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.european-football-statistics.co.uk/attn/nav/attnger.htm | title=German attendances }}</ref>
|-
| [[Schalke 04]] || 2nd || 2023-24 || 17 || 61,388
|-
| [[Schalke 04]] || 1st || 2022-23 || 17 || 61,133
|-
| [[Schalke 04]] || 1st || 2018-19 || 17 || 60,941
|-
| [[Schalke 04]] || 1st || 2017-18 || 17 || 61,197
|-
| [[Schalke 04]] || 1st || 2016-17 || 17 || 60,703
|-
|} }}

==See also==
[[File:Gelsenkirchen - Kurt-Schumacher-Straße - Haltestelle Veltins Arena 01 ies.jpg|thumb|Gelsenkirchen-[[Bochum Stadtbahn]] station «Veltins Arena» outside the stadium with connection to [[Gelsenkirchen Hauptbahnhof]]]]
*[[Speedway Grand Prix of Germany]]
*[[Lists of stadiums]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{coord|51|33|16|N|7|4|3|E|type:landmark|display=title}}

==Further reading==
*Gernot Stick, Stadien 2006, Basel: Birkhäuser 2005
*Stahlbau Spezial: Arenen im 21. Jahrhundert, Berlin: Ernst & Sohn, Ausg. Januar 2005

==External links==
*{{commons category-inline}}
*[https://veltins-arena.de/en/ Official site]

{{s-start}}
{{succession box |title= {{unbulleted list|[[UEFA Champions League]]|[[List of European Cup and UEFA Champions League finals|Final venue]]}}
|before=[[Old Trafford]] <br> [[Manchester]] |after=[[Atatürk Olympic Stadium]] <br> [[Istanbul]] |years=[[2004 UEFA Champions League Final|2004]] }}
{{s-end}}

{{Navboxes
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{{FC Schalke 04}}
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{{UEFA Euro 2024 stadiums}}
{{IIHF World Championship venues}}
{{Rhein Fire}}
{{Motorcycle speedway tracks in Germany}}
}}
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[[Category:American football venues in Germany]]
[[Category:Football venues in Germany]]
[[Category:Sports venues in North Rhine-Westphalia]]
[[Category:Retractable-pitch stadiums]]
[[Category:Retractable-roof stadiums in Europe]]
[[Category:FC Schalke 04]]
[[Category:Sport in Gelsenkirchen]]
[[Category:2001 establishments in Germany]]
[[Category:Sports venues completed in 2001]]