Niedersachsenstadion

Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates Template:Template other Niedersachsenstadion (, Template:Literal translation) is a football stadium in Hanover, Lower Saxony, Germany, which is home to Template:German football updater football club Hannover 96.

The original 86,000-capacity stadium was completed in 1954 and has since been rebuilt several times for various major football events. Today it has 49,000 covered seats. During the 2006 FIFA World Cup the stadium was named FIFA World Cup Stadium, Hanover.

Through a sponsorship deal, the stadium's official name is currently Heinz-von-Heiden-Arena . Between 2002 and 2013 a similar arrangement saw the stadium renamed as the AWD-Arena ; from 2013 to 2022 the stadium was named HDI-Arena .

History

The stadium was built from 1952 to 1954, with an original capacity of 86,000. Huge amounts of debris from the houses in Hanover destroyed during World War II were used as the foundations of the stadium, with a total construction cost of 4 million Deutschmark. The stadium officially opened on 26 September 1954.

Hannover 96 moved permanently to the stadium from the Eilenriedestadion in 1959. Other local clubs, such as Arminia Hannover, OSV Hannover, TSV Havelse and Sportfreunde Ricklingen have also played matches there. In addition, the stadium has hosted numerous international matches, 4 (old) league championship games (in 1955, 1957, 1958 and 1961), 2 DFB-Supercup finals (in 1991 and 1992) and 8 DFB-Pokal finals (in 1962, 1963, 1965, 1970, 1972, 1975, 1977 and 1979).

From 2002 to 2013, the stadium carried the name of financial service provider AWD. From 2013 to 2022, it was named after insurance company HDI. Since 2022, the naming rights are held by construction company Template:Ill.

On 17 November 2015, the stadium was due to host an international friendly between Germany and the Netherlands. However, the match was postponed two hours before kick off following reports of a "concrete security threat" and "intention to ignite explosives". The stadium and surrounding areas were evacuated, though no explosives were found.

TSV Havelse played in the stadium in the 2021–22 3. Liga since their regular home stadium, the Wilhelm-Langrehr-Stadion in Garbsen, did not meet 3. Liga requirements. Similarly, VfB Oldenburg will initially play their evening and winter home matches in the 2022–23 3. Liga at the stadium since their home stadium, the Marschweg-Stadion in Oldenburg, currently lacks floodlights and a heated pitch, and is bound to noise regulation ordinances for matches after 18:30. The club aims to fix these problems and move back to Oldenburg as soon as possible.

International football tournaments

All times local (CEST)

1974 FIFA World Cup

The stadium was one of the nine venues chosen for (West) Germany's first hosting of the World Cup. This event saw the number of seats increase to 38,000, which entailed a decrease in the overall capacity to 60,400. In addition, the upper rank of the west grandstand was completely roofed. These alterations cost 26million DM. Newly modified, the arena featured in both the first and second group phase.

The following games were played at the stadium during the World Cup of 1974:

Date	Time	Team	Result	Team	Round	Attendance
15 June 1974	16:00	{{ Template:Yesno	alias = Uruguay	flag alias = Flag of Uruguay.svg	flag alias-1828 = Flag of Uruguay (1828-1830).svg	link alias-naval = National Navy of Uruguay	flag alias-army = Flag of Uruguayan Army.svg	National Army of Uruguay	link alias-air force = Uruguayan Air Force	flag alias-air force = Flag of the Uruguayan Air Force.svg	link alias-navy = National Navy of Uruguay	size =	name =	altlink = national football team	variant = }}||style="text-align:center;"|0–2|| {{ Template:Yesno	alias = Netherlands	flag alias = Flag of the Netherlands.svg	flag alias-prinsengeus = Naval Jack of the Netherlands.svg	flag alias-army =Flag of the Royal Netherlands Army.svg	flag alias-air force=Flag of the Royal Netherlands Air Force.svg	link alias-air force= Royal Netherlands Air Force	link alias-army= Royal Netherlands Army	flag alias-naval = Flag of the Netherlands.svg	link alias-naval = Royal Netherlands Navy	flag alias-navy = Naval Jack of the Netherlands.svg	link alias-navy=Royal Netherlands Navy	flag alias-marines = Naval Jack of the Netherlands.svg	link alias-marines = Netherlands Marine Corps	size =	name =	altlink = national football team	variant = }}|| rowspan="2" |Group 3||style="text-align:center;"|53,000
19 June 1974	19:30		1–1	{{ Template:Yesno	alias = Bulgaria	flag alias = Flag of Bulgaria.svg	flag alias-digital = Flag of Bulgaria (digital).svg	flag alias-1878 = Flag of Bulgaria.svg	flag alias-1947 = Flag of Bulgaria (1946–1948).svg	flag alias-1948 = Flag of Bulgaria (1948–1967).svg	flag alias-1968 = Flag of Bulgaria (1967-1971).svg	flag alias-1971 = Flag of Bulgaria (1971–1990).svg	flag alias-naval-1879 = Naval Ensign of Bulgaria (1878-1944).svg	flag alias-naval-1949 = Naval Ensign of Bulgaria (1949-1955).svg	flag alias-naval-1955 = Naval Ensign of Bulgaria (1955-1990).svg	flag alias-naval-1991 = Naval Ensign of Bulgaria 1991-2005.svg	flag alias-naval = Naval Ensign of Bulgaria.svg	link alias-naval = Bulgarian Navy	flag alias-army = War flag of Bulgaria.svg	link alias-army = Bulgarian Land Forces	link alias-air force = Bulgarian Air Force	flag alias-navy = Naval Ensign of Bulgaria.svg	link alias-navy = Bulgarian Navy	size =	name =	altlink = national football team	variant = 1971 }}|| style="text-align:center;" |12,000
26 June 1974	19:30	{{ Template:Yesno	alias = Brazil	flag alias-1692 = Flag of the Princes of Brazil.svg	flag alias-1816 = Flag of the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil, and the Algarves.svg	flag alias-1822 = Flag of Brazil (1822-1853).svg	flag alias-1870 = Flag of Brazil (1853-1889).svg	flag alias = Flag of Brazil.svg	flag alias-1889 = Flag of Brazil (1889–1960).svg	flag alias-1960 = Flag of Brazil (1960–1968).svg	flag alias-1968 = Flag of Brazil (1968–1992).svg	flag alias-army = Flag of the Brazilian Army.svg	link alias-army = Brazilian Army	flag alias-air force = Flag of the Brazilian Air Force Command.svg	link alias-air force = Brazilian Air Force	link alias-naval = Brazilian Navy	flag alias-marines=Flag of the Brazilian Marine Corps.svg	link alias-marines=Brazilian Marine Corps	link alias-military = Brazilian Armed Forces	link alias-navy = Brazilian Navy	flag alias-navy = Flag of the Brazilian Navy.svg	size =	name =	altlink = national football team	variant = 1968 }}||style="text-align:center;"|1–0|| {{ Template:Yesno	alias = East Germany	flag alias = Flag of East Germany.svg	flag alias-1949 = Flag of Germany.svg	flag alias-navy = Flag of warships of VM (East Germany).svg	link alias-navy = Volksmarine	flag alias-naval = Flag of warships of VM (East Germany).svg	link alias-naval = Volksmarine	flag alias-army = Flag of NVA (East Germany).svg	link alias-army = Land Forces of the National People's Army	flag alias-military = Flag of NVA (East Germany).svg	link alias-military = National People's Army	link alias-air force = Air Forces of the National People's Army	flag alias-EUA = German Olympic flag (1959-1968).svg	link alias-tennis = Germany {{{mw}}} Cup team	size =	name =	altlink = national football team	altvar = football	variant = }}|| rowspan="2" |Group A (2nd round)||style="text-align:center;"|58,463
30 June 1974	16:00	{{ Template:Yesno	alias = Argentina	flag alias = Flag of Argentina.svg	flag alias-alt = Flag of Argentina (civil).svg	flag alias-1812 = Flag of Belgrano (1812).svg	flag alias-1816 = Flag of Argentina (civil).svg	flag alias-1818 = Flag of Argentina.svg	flag alias-1819 = Flag of Argentina (1818).svg	flag alias-1820 = Flag of Argentina.svg	flag alias-1829 = Flag of Liga Federal.svg	flag alias-1835 = Flag of Argentina (1840).svg	flag alias-1850 = Flag of the Argentine Confederation.svg	flag alias-1861 = Flag of Argentina (1818–1819, 1820–1829, 1861–2010).svg	link alias-naval = Argentine Navy	link alias-coast guard = Argentine Naval Prefecture	flag alias-marines = Naval Jack of Argentina.svg	link alias-marines = Argentine Naval Infantry Command	link alias-air force = Argentine Air Force	flag alias-army = Flag of Argentina (3-2).svg	link alias-army = Argentine Army	flag alias-navy = Flag of Argentina.svg	link alias-navy = Argentine Navy	empty = Argentina XV national rugby union team	size =	name =	altlink = national football team	altvar = football	variant = }}||style="text-align:center;"|1–2|| {{ Template:Yesno	alias = Brazil	flag alias-1692 = Flag of the Princes of Brazil.svg	flag alias-1816 = Flag of the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil, and the Algarves.svg	flag alias-1822 = Flag of Brazil (1822-1853).svg	flag alias-1870 = Flag of Brazil (1853-1889).svg	flag alias = Flag of Brazil.svg	flag alias-1889 = Flag of Brazil (1889–1960).svg	flag alias-1960 = Flag of Brazil (1960–1968).svg	flag alias-1968 = Flag of Brazil (1968–1992).svg	flag alias-army = Flag of the Brazilian Army.svg	link alias-army = Brazilian Army	flag alias-air force = Flag of the Brazilian Air Force Command.svg	link alias-air force = Brazilian Air Force	link alias-naval = Brazilian Navy	flag alias-marines=Flag of the Brazilian Marine Corps.svg	link alias-marines=Brazilian Marine Corps	link alias-military = Brazilian Armed Forces	link alias-navy = Brazilian Navy	flag alias-navy = Flag of the Brazilian Navy.svg	size =	name =	altlink = national football team	variant = 1968 }}|| style="text-align:center;" |38,000

1988 European Championship

When Germany hosted its second international tournament, the stadium was again chosen as a venue. By now, due to the conversion of 8,000 terrace spots into single seating, the capacity stood at 55,000. It hosted two group matches:

Date	Time	Team	Result	Team	Round	Attendance
11 June 1988	15:30	{{ Template:Yesno	alias = Denmark	flag alias = Flag of Denmark.svg	flag alias-state = Flag of Denmark (state).svg	border-state =	flag alias-naval = Naval Ensign of Denmark.svg	link alias-naval = Royal Danish Navy	link alias-army = Royal Danish Army	flag alias-army = Flag of Denmark (state).svg	link alias-air force = Royal Danish Air Force	flag alias-air force = Flag of Denmark (state).svg	flag alias-navy = Naval Ensign of Denmark.svg	link alias-navy = Royal Danish Navy	border-army =	border-air force =	border-naval =	border-navy =	size =	name =	altlink = national football team	variant = }}||style="text-align:center;"|2–3|| {{ Template:Yesno	alias = Spain	flag alias = Flag of Spain.svg	flag alias-1506 = Flag of Cross of Burgundy.svg	flag alias-1701 = Bandera de España 1701-1748.svg	flag alias-1748 = Bandera de España 1748-1785.svg	flag alias-1760 = Bandera de España 1760-1785.svg	flag alias-1785 = Flag of Spain (1785–1873, 1875–1931).svg	flag alias-1873 = Flag of the First Spanish Republic.svg	flag alias-1874 = Flag of Spain (1785–1873, 1875–1931).svg	flag alias-1931 = Flag of Spain (1931–1939).svg	flag alias-civil-1931 = Flag of the Second Spanish Republic (plain).svg	flag alias-1936 = Flag of the Bando Nacional (1936–1938).svg	flag alias-1938 = Flag of Spain (1938–1945).svg	flag alias-1945 = Flag of Spain (1945–1977).svg	flag alias-1977 = Flag of Spain (1977–1981).svg	flag alias-civil = Flag of Spain (civil).svg	flag alias-civil-1785 = BandMercante1785.svg	flag alias-navy = Flag of Spain.svg	link alias-navy = Spanish Navy	flag alias-marines = Flag of Spain.svg	link alias-marines = Spanish Marine Infantry	flag alias-army = Flag of Spain.svg	link alias-army = Spanish Army	flag alias-naval = Naval Jack of Spain.svg	link alias-naval = Spanish Navy	flag alias-air force = Flag of Spain.svg	link alias-air force = Spanish Air and Space Force	size =	name =	altlink = national football team	variant = }}||Group A||style="text-align:center;"|60,366
15 June 1988	20:15	{{safesubst: Template:Yesno	alias = Republic of Ireland	shortname alias = Ireland	flag alias = Flag of Ireland.svg	link alias-naval = Irish Naval Service	flag alias-air force = Flag of the Irish Air Corps.svg	link alias-air force = Irish Air Corps	flag alias-army = Flag of the Irish Defence Forces.svg	link alias-army = Irish Army	link alias-navy = Irish Naval Service	link alias-football = Republic of Ireland national football team	name alias-football = Republic of Ireland	link alias-futsal = Republic of Ireland national football team	name alias-futsal = Republic of Ireland	link alias-beachsoccer = Republic of Ireland national football team	name alias-beachsoccer = Republic of Ireland	flag alias-rugby union = Flag placeholder.svg	border-rugby union =	flag alias-cricket = Flag placeholder.svg	border-cricket =	link alias-netball = Republic of Ireland national netball team	name alias-netball = Republic of Ireland	size =	name =	altlink = national football team	altvar = football	variant = }}||style="text-align:center;"|1–1|| {{ Template:Yesno	alias = Soviet Union	flag alias = Flag of the Soviet Union.svg	flag alias-1922 = Flag of the Soviet Union (1922–1923).svg	flag alias-1923 = Flag of the Soviet Union (1924).svg	flag alias-1924 = Flag of the Soviet Union (1924–1936).svg	flag alias-1936 = Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 – 1955).svg	flag alias-1955 = Flag of the Soviet Union.svg	flag alias-coast guard-1924 = USSR, Flag KGB 1924.svg	link alias-coast guard-1924 = Soviet Border Troops	flag alias-coast guard-1935 = USSR, Flag KGB 1935.svg	link alias-coast guard-1935 = Soviet Border Troops	flag alias-coast guard = USSR, Flag KGB 1950.svg	link alias-coast guard = Soviet Border Troops	flag alias-air force=Flag of the Soviet Air Force.svg	link alias-air force=Soviet Air Forces	flag alias-army = Flag of the Soviet Union.svg	link alias-army = Soviet Army	flag alias-naval = Naval Ensign of the Soviet Union (1950–1991).svg	flag alias-naval-1924 = Naval Ensign of the Soviet Union (1923–1935).svg	flag alias-naval-1935 = Naval Ensign of the Soviet Union 1935.svg	flag alias-VV MVD naval = USSR, Naval flag of ships by the Interior Force 1983.svg	link alias-naval = Soviet Navy	flag alias-navy = Naval Ensign of the Soviet Union (1950–1991).svg	link alias-navy = Soviet Navy	flag alias-marines= Flag of the Soviet Union.svg	link alias-marines= Soviet Naval Infantry	flag alias-military= Flag of the Soviet Union.svg	link alias-military= Soviet Armed Forces	size =	name =	altlink = national football team	altvar = football	variant = }}||Group B||style="text-align:center;"|38,308

2006 FIFA World Cup

The stadium was one of the venues for the 2006 FIFA World Cup. However, due to FIFA sponsorship contracts, the arena was officially named FIFA World Cup Stadium Hanover (Template:Langx) during the World Cup. The stadium also had to convert its standing areas into seating, thus reducing the capacity for the tournament to 43,000, before being converted back after the games.

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

Date	Time	Team	Result	Team	Round	Attendance
12 June 2006	21:00	{{ Template:Yesno	alias = Italy	flag alias = Flag of Italy.svg	flag alias-1861 = Flag of Italy (1861–1946).svg	flag alias-1943 = War flag of the Italian Social Republic.svg	flag alias-2003 = Flag of Italy (2003–2006).svg	flag alias-civil = Civil Ensign of Italy.svg	flag alias-naval = Naval Ensign of Italy.svg	flag alias-navy-1947 = Naval Ensign of Italy (1947-2013).svg	link alias-naval = Italian Navy	link alias-air force = Italian Air Force	link alias-army = Italian Army	flag alias-navy = Naval Ensign of Italy.svg	link alias-navy = Italian Navy	link alias-roller hockey = Italy {{{mw}}} national roller hockey team	size =	name =	variant =	altlink = national football team	altvar = football }}||style="text-align:center;"|2–0|| {{ Template:Yesno	alias = Ghana	flag alias = Flag of Ghana.svg	flag alias-1964 = Ghana flag 1964.svg	flag alias-civil = Civil Ensign of Ghana.svg	flag alias-naval = Naval Ensign of Ghana.svg	flag alias-air force = Air Force Ensign of Ghana.svg	flag alias-navy = Naval Ensign of Ghana.svg	size =	name =	altlink = national football team	variant = }}||Group E||style="text-align:center;"|43,000
16 June 2006	21:00	{{ Template:Yesno	alias = Mexico	flag alias = Flag of Mexico.svg	flag alias-1821a = Flag of the Three Guarantees.svg	flag alias-1821 = Bandera del Primer Imperio Mexicano.svg	flag alias-1823 = Flag of Mexico (1823-1864, 1867-1893).svg	flag alias-1864 = Imperial Standard of Mexico (1864-1867).svg	flag alias-1867 = Flag of Mexico (1823-1864, 1867-1893).svg	flag alias-1893 = Flag of Mexico (1893-1916).svg	flag alias-1916 = Flag of Mexico (1916–1934).svg	flag alias-1934 = Flag of Mexico (1934-1968).svg	flag alias-air force = Flag of the Mexican Air Force.svg	flag alias-army = Flag of the Mexican Army.svg	link alias-army = Mexican Army	link alias-air force = Mexican Air Force	link alias-naval = Mexican Navy	flag alias-coast guard = Flag of the Mexican Maritime Search and Rescue.png	link alias-coast guard = Mexican Maritime Search and Rescue	flag alias-navy = Naval jack of Mexico.svg	link alias-navy = Mexican Navy	flag alias-marines = Estandarte Infantería de Marina de México.svg	link alias-marines = Mexican Naval Infantry Corps	size =	name =	altlink = national football team	variant = }}||style="text-align:center;"|0–0|| {{ Template:Yesno	alias = Angola	flag alias = Flag of Angola.svg	link alias-naval = Angolan Navy	link alias-army = Angolan Army	link alias-navy = Angolan Navy	link alias-military = Angolan Armed Forces	link alias-air force = National Air Force of Angola	size =	name =	altlink = national football team }}||Group D||style="text-align:center;"|43,000
20 June 2006	16:00	{{ Template:Yesno	alias = Costa Rica	flag alias = Flag of Costa Rica.svg	flag alias-1839 = Flag of Costa Rica (1839-1848).svg	flag alias-1848 = Flag of Costa Rica (1848-1906).svg	flag alias-state = Flag of Costa Rica (state).svg	flag alias-naval = Flag of Costa Rica (state).svg	flag alias-navy = Flag of Costa Rica (state).svg	Costa Rican Coast Guard	Costa Rican Coast Guard	size =	name =	altlink = national football team	variant = }}||style="text-align:center;"|1–2|| {{ Template:Yesno	alias = Poland	flag alias = Flag of Poland.svg	flag alias-state = Flag of Poland (with coat of arms).svg	flag alias-1815 = Flag of the Congress of Poland.svg	flag alias-1919 = Flag of Poland (1919-1928).svg	flag alias-1928 = Flag of Poland (1928–1980).svg	flag alias-1955 = Flag of Poland (with coat of arms, 1955-1980).svg	flag alias-1980 = Flag of Poland (with coat of arms, 1980-1990).svg	flag alias-1990 = Flag of Poland (with coat of arms).svg	flag alias-naval = PL navy flag IIIRP.svg	border-naval =	flag alias-naval-1919 = Naval Ensign of IIRP v1.svg	border-naval-1919 =	flag alias-naval-1946 = Naval Ensign of PRL v1.svg	border-naval-1946 =	flag alias-naval-auxiliary = Flaga pomocniczych jednostek pływających Polskiej Marynarki Wojennej.svg	flag alias-naval-auxiliary-1955 = POL Bandera pjp PRL v1.svg	link alias-naval = Polish Navy	flag alias-navy = Naval Ensign of Poland.svg	border-navy =	link alias-navy = Polish Navy	flag alias-marines = Flag of the Polish Land Forces.svg	border-marines =	link alias-marines = Polish 7th Coastal Defense Brigade	flag alias-air force = Flag of the Polish Air Force.svg	border-air force =	link alias-air force = Polish Air Force	flag alias-army = Flag of the Polish Land Forces.svg	border-army =	link alias-army = Polish Land Forces	size =	size flag alias-naval = 25px	size flag alias-naval-1919 = 25px	size flag alias-naval-1946 = 25px	size flag alias-air force = 25px	name =	altlink = national football team	variant = }}||Group A||style="text-align:center;"|43,000
23 June 2006	21:00	{{ Template:Yesno	alias = Switzerland	flag alias = Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg	flag alias-civil = Civil Ensign of Switzerland (Pantone).svg	link alias-army = Swiss Army	link alias-air force = Swiss Air Force	size =	size flag alias = 23x16px	sizebig flag alias = 25px	name =	altlink = national football team	variant = }}||style="text-align:center;"|2–0|| {{ Template:Yesno	alias = South Korea	flag alias = Flag of South Korea.svg	flag alias-1945 = Flag of South Korea (1945–1948).svg	flag alias-1948 = Flag of South Korea (1948–1949).svg	flag alias-1949 = Flag of South Korea (1949–1984).svg	flag alias-1984 = Flag of South Korea (1984–1997).svg	flag alias-1997 = Flag of South Korea (1997–2011).svg	flag alias-army = Flag of the Republic of Korea Army.svg	flag alias-air force = Flag of the Republic of Korea Air Force.svg	link alias-army = Republic of Korea Army	flag alias-naval = Flag of the Republic of Korea Navy.svg	link alias-naval = Republic of Korea Navy	link alias-air force = Republic of Korea Air Force	flag alias-marines = Flag of the Republic of Korea Marine Corps.svg	link alias-marines = Republic of Korea Marine Corps	link alias-navy = Republic of Korea Navy	flag alias-navy = Flag of the Republic of Korea Navy.svg	flag alias-military = Flag of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces.svg	link alias-military = Republic of Korea Armed Forces	flag alias-coast guard = Flag of the Korean Coast Guard.svg	link alias-coast guard = Korea Coast Guard	size =	name =	altlink = national football team	altvar = football	variant = 1997 }}||Group G||style="text-align:center;"|43,000
27 June 2006	21:00	{{ Template:Yesno	alias = Spain	flag alias = Flag of Spain.svg	flag alias-1506 = Flag of Cross of Burgundy.svg	flag alias-1701 = Bandera de España 1701-1748.svg	flag alias-1748 = Bandera de España 1748-1785.svg	flag alias-1760 = Bandera de España 1760-1785.svg	flag alias-1785 = Flag of Spain (1785–1873, 1875–1931).svg	flag alias-1873 = Flag of the First Spanish Republic.svg	flag alias-1874 = Flag of Spain (1785–1873, 1875–1931).svg	flag alias-1931 = Flag of Spain (1931–1939).svg	flag alias-civil-1931 = Flag of the Second Spanish Republic (plain).svg	flag alias-1936 = Flag of the Bando Nacional (1936–1938).svg	flag alias-1938 = Flag of Spain (1938–1945).svg	flag alias-1945 = Flag of Spain (1945–1977).svg	flag alias-1977 = Flag of Spain (1977–1981).svg	flag alias-civil = Flag of Spain (civil).svg	flag alias-civil-1785 = BandMercante1785.svg	flag alias-navy = Flag of Spain.svg	link alias-navy = Spanish Navy	flag alias-marines = Flag of Spain.svg	link alias-marines = Spanish Marine Infantry	flag alias-army = Flag of Spain.svg	link alias-army = Spanish Army	flag alias-naval = Naval Jack of Spain.svg	link alias-naval = Spanish Navy	flag alias-air force = Flag of Spain.svg	link alias-air force = Spanish Air and Space Force	size =	name =	altlink = national football team	variant = }}||style="text-align:center;"|1–3|| {{ Template:Yesno	alias = France	flag alias = Flag of France.svg	flag alias-1790 = Flag of France (1790–1794).svg	flag alias-1794 = Flag of France (1794–1815, 1830–1958).svg	flag alias-1814 = Flag of the Kingdom of France (1814-1830).svg	flag alias-1830 = Flag of France (1794–1815, 1830–1958).svg	flag alias-1848 = Drapeau france 1848.svg	flag alias-1848a = Drapeau france 1848.svg	flag alias-1848b = Flag of France (1794–1815, 1830–1958).svg	flag alias-1974 = Flag of France (lighter variant).svg	flag alias-naval = Civil and Naval Ensign of France.svg	flag alias-naval-1790 = Flag of French-Navy-Revolution.svg	flag alias-air force = Flag of France.svg	link alias-air force = French Air and Space Force	flag alias-coast guard = French Maritime Gendarmerie racing stripe.svg	border-coast guard =	link alias-coast guard = French Maritime Gendarmerie	flag alias-army = Flag of France.svg	link alias-army = French Army	link alias-naval = French Navy	flag alias-navy = Civil and Naval Ensign of France.svg	link alias-navy = French Navy	size =	name =	altlink = national football team	variant = 1974 }}||Round of 16||style="text-align:center;"|43,000

Modern redevelopment

Although the stadium has seen many changes through the years, none were as extensive and impactingTemplate:According to whom as the redevelopment of 2003–04 by Schulitz & Partner Architects, which cost €65 million.

For many years before, there had been much controversy within the club's fanbase over suggestions for building a new football arena. Eventually this led to the decision to preserve and comprehensively redevelop the existing stadium in 1997–98. When Germany was somewhat unexpectedlyTemplate:According to whom awarded the hosting of the 2006 FIFA World Cup, the major stadium work was finally put into action.

During 2003–04, major parts of the stadium were rebuilt; this reduced the maximum capacity to 49,951 (of which around 8,000 are standing spaces). Before 2003, the stadium had had high floodlight masts (referred to by locals as "toothbrushes"), track and field facilities inclusive and about 60% was open plan. The redevelopments transformed the stadium completely into a football arena, and removed about 70% of the previous building. The roof and about 25% of the area at the outer edges of the west grandstand were demolished, as were the north, south and east grandstands.

Instead of the previous scoreboards, the arena gained two modern video boards; and the old floodlight masts were replaced with 160 modern single headlights, which were integrated into the roof structure, supplying a light density of 1500 lux.

The pitch, under which a high performanceTemplate:According to whom drainage system and a cabin ground heating system was installed, was moved closer to the spectators than ever. With the removal of the track and field facilities, the pitch was moved directly to the west grandstand, and the remaining grandstands were then built around it. This necessitated the stands behind the goals to be designed so that the upward gradient gradually increases from west to east, creating a rather peculiarTemplate:According to whom asymmetry, as the original west grandstand possessed such small angles of inclination and the new east grandstand was as constructed as steeply as possible.

The new inner roof was constructed using ETFE (ethylene tetrafluoroethylene) to allow sunlight through, thus allowing the grass the grow naturally, whilst also protecting all spectators from bad weather [1]. This care for the pitch helps avoid the constant need to re-lay it, as in many other roofed stadiums, and was designed by Hanke Loköter who also helped with the construction of the Allianz Arena .

The new business and corporate packages of the AWD-Arena are just like the press area in the east grandstand. There are approximately 1,250 business seats, 29 VIP boxes for 10–12 people and 96 press places.

Work on the stadium finished ahead of schedule in December 2004. The first football match played following the redevelopment was on 23 January 2005, when Hannover 96 lost 3–0 to Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga.

In June 2008, the stadium hosted the 2008 Hannover Sevens, the European Sevens championship in rugby union.

On 15 November 2009, the stadium was filled to capacity as the funeral site for 32-year-old Hannover 96 goalkeeper Robert Enke, who had died as a result of suicide on 10 November.

The stadium is one of few actualTemplate:Category handlerTemplate:Category handler stadiums to be named in FIFA 12 when it was released on 28 September 2011.

Other uses

Aside from football, the stadium was also the scene of several German athletics championships, the German Turnfest (a gymnastics festival), field handball finals, concerts, rugby and American football.

Since the performances of the Rolling Stones in 1982, the stadium has developed into the leadingTemplate:According to whom open-air concert venue in Northern Germany. After the stadium underwent extensive redevelopment in 2003–04, the open air tradition was revived again with a concert by the Rolling Stones in the new arena. Madonna performed at the stadium during her Confessions Tour in August 2006 for an audience of 40,000. Other performers who held a concert at the venue include Michael Jackson in 1988 as part of his Bad World Tour, Bon Jovi in 1996 for his These Days Tour, Status Quo in 2006 and U2 in 2010 during their U2 360° Tour with total 56,494 audience and Kasabian as support act.

In 2013, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band as well as Robbie Williams are setTemplate:Category handlerTemplate:Category handler to give concerts for the first time at the stadium.

Artists with more than two concerts at the venue

Artist	Dates	Tour	Notes
The Rolling Stones	6 & 7 June 1982	Tattoo You Tour
	23 & 24 May 1990	Urban Jungle Tour
	22 June 1995	Voodoo Lounge Tour
	19 July 2006	A Bigger Bang Tour
Phil Collins	17 & 18 July 1990	Seriously, Live! World Tour
	3, 4, 6 & 7 September 1994	Both Sides of the World Tour
	14 & 15 June 2019	Still Not Dead Yet Live!
Genesis	7 June 1987	Invisible Touch Tour
	10, 11 & 13 July 1992	We Can't Dance Tour
	23 June 2007	Turn It On Again Tour
Pink Floyd	25 June 1988	A Momentary Lapse of Reason Tour
	16 & 17 August 1994	The Division Bell Tour
Tina Turner	4 June 1990	Foreign Affair Tour
	29 May 1996	Wildest Dreams Tour
	3 July 2000	Twenty Four Seven Tour	with John Fogerty as support act
Metallica	31 August 1991	Wherever We May Roam Tour	as part of Monsters of Rock 1991
	19 May 1993	Nowhere Else to Roam Tour
AC/DC	31 August 1991	Razors Edge World Tour	as part of Monsters of Rock 1991
	17 June 2001	Stiff Upper Lip World Tour	with Megadeth as support act
Coldplay	25 August 2009	Viva la Vida Tour
	22 September 2012	Mylo Xyloto Tour	with Charli XCX & Marina and the Diamonds as support acts
	16 June 2017	A Head Full of Dreams Tour
Herbert Grönemeyer	3 June 2007	12 Tour
	4 June 2011	Schiffsverkehr Tour
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band	28 May 2013	Wrecking Ball Tour
	5 July 2024	Springsteen and E Street Band 2023-25 Tour
Robbie Williams	27 July 2013	Take the Crown Stadium Tour	with Olly Murs as support act
	11 July 2017	The Heavy Entertainment Show Tour	with Erasure as support act
	30 June 2025	Robbie Williams Live 2025	with The Lottery Winners as support act
Linkin Park	16 June 2025	From Zero World Tour
Scorpions	5 July 2025	60 Years of Scorpions tour	with Judas Priest and Alice Cooper as support acts
Post Malone	5 September 2025	Big Ass Stadium Tour	with Jelly Roll as support act

External links

• Official website
• Fan photos from the old Niedersachsenstadion