Essen is planning stadium expansion: 29 million euros for new corners!

Essen is planning stadium expansion: 29 million euros for new corners!

On July 2, 2025, the Essen City Council decided to expand the “An der Hafenstrasse” stadium. The plan includes the complete expansion of the previously closed four corners, the installation of a vestibule and various technical improvements. The stadium was originally built in the 2011/2012 planning phase without corners and with four free-standing stands to reduce construction costs, but now it's about more than just cost efficiency. Loud derwesten.de The expansion is expected to cost around 29.4 million euros gross.

The financing of the project, which is to be realized gradually between 2025 and 2027, is subject to a lease agreement between GVE Property Management Stadt Essen GmbH and Rot-Weiss Essen e.V. The basis for progress has already been laid, and the city council made further construction decisions at the June meeting. An important point of the new lease agreement is a flexible model for the 3rd league, which will mean a reduced fixed lease and a higher variable lease.

Discussions and challenges

The stadium expansion has already sparked heated discussions in Essen, both among residents and in the political landscape. The dispute over the renovation was so intense that the black-green alliance broke up due to the different opinions about the necessity of the expansion. This happened shortly before the local elections in North Rhine-Westphalia in September, which made the situation even more tense.

The discussions also discussed the planned improvement of the infrastructure around the stadium. In addition to the stadium expansion, the plan is to create a new building for social fan work that focuses on respect, tolerance and anti-discrimination. The multifunctional building will also serve as a clearing and accreditation point for international games.

Financing details and timeframes

Financially, the expansion will represent a significant investment for the city. Around 4.7 million euros could be claimed in input tax. The actual financing requirement is estimated at around 24.7 million euros. Contracts should be signed by March 2026, which is a prerequisite for the tender and construction award. The latest start of construction is planned for June 2026, provided the building permit is available.

Particular attention should also be paid to accessibility, with ground-level bicycle parking facilities being planned instead of a more expensive bicycle parking garage. The Sports Facilities Investment Pact, which supported from 2020 to 2022, is also important. This has ensured the development and modernization of sports facilities and aims to promote social cohesion and the health of the population, which plays an important role in the context of stadium expansion www.staedtebaufoerderung.info.

The city of Essen is faced with the challenge of mastering the balancing act between different interests, financing and time constraints. Citizens are curious to see whether the stadium will ultimately become a place for movement and encounters that can promote a sense of community and social cohesion.