With a big celebration and more than 60,000 enthusiastic fans in the stands, the ArenaAufSchalke was opened on August 13, 2001 after a construction period of around 33 months. To date, a total of 626 events - soccer matches, concerts and much more - have taken place in the FC Schalke 04 stadium. More than 32 million spectators have been welcomed to the royal blue living room.
In the recent past, however, it has been quiet in the stands. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the squires' matches had to be played without fans in the stands for 16 months. Concerts and other events also did not take place.
A place where emotions are at home
At the second division opener three weeks ago, the atmosphere was back in the stadium for the first time. 19,770 admitted S04 supporters - all vaccinated, tested or recovered - provided many goosebump moments at the home match against Hamburger SV and once again underlined what the arena is all about: it is a stadium that thrives on people's enthusiasm. A place where emotions are at home.
And it was from the very beginning. The former Schalke manager Rudi Assauer, who sadly passed away far too early and who implemented the ambitious project together with his fellow board members, proudly declared at the opening of the multifunctional arena on the Schalke pitch: "We now have the most beautiful stadium in Europe - a stadium for our fans."
Shortly after the turn of the millennium, the ArenaAufSchalke, which has been called the VELTINS-Arena since 2005 and was the first major sports venue in Germany to be privately financed, was the most modern stadium on the continent. And even today, 20 years after its opening, the royal blue living room still sets standards in international comparison and meets the highest requirements.
Masterpiece of technology
The huge video cube, the retractable pitch, movable stands, the lockable roof and state-of-the-art stage and sound technology for events are just some of the technical highlights that make the modern building on the Schalke pitch, which even has its own chapel, a true masterpiece.
Another highlight that is unique in Europe: the 5,000-metre-long beer pipeline. The current namesake of the arena, which has been one of the largest and most important partners of FC Schalke 04 since 1997, has been supplying the kiosks, the business club and all catering areas with fresh VELTINS since the opening of the royal blue living room. The barley juice comes directly from the four cooling centers in the arena catacombs, where up to 52,000 liters of beer can be stored. Just like VELTINS, premium partner Böklunder, which has been supplying the arena kiosks with delicious sausages for 20 years, and S04 partner ELE, which supplies the stadium with electricity, have also been involved since day one.
A true quick-change artist
The Royal Blues' arena is a true quick-change artist: today the home ground of FC Schalke 04, tomorrow the largest possible open-air stage, the day after tomorrow a ski slope, opera house, ice rink or boxing temple. It can be converted for almost any type of event in just a few hours.
On January 26, 2002, in a legendary 5:1 victory against Bayern Munich, the one millionth visitor was welcomed to the arena. The ten million mark was also broken against the German record champions, also in a memorable duel: on November 6, 2006, the spectators saw a 2:2 draw, in which Levan Kobiashvili's interim goal to make it 2:0 after 19 minutes and ten seconds caused a deafening cheer.
Legendary games and concerts
To date, exactly 32,270,319 visitors have been counted at the turnstiles at the entrance. They have all experienced many legendary soccer matches as well as international and national music highlights such as U2, Coldplay, Ed Sheeran, AC/DC, Rammstein, Metallica, Herbert Grönemeyer and Helene Fischer. They also listened to opera productions such as Carmen and Aida or cheered on sporting events such as the traditional biathlon at Schalke, the Klitschko boxing matches, the TV total Stock Car Crash Challenge or the world record attendance at the 2010 Ice Hockey World Championships. 77,803 spectators, the arena's record crowd to this day, watched the German skaters beat the USA 2:1 after extra time on May 7, 2010.
Since its opening, the international soccer associations have also come to appreciate the arena. After the Champions League final between FC Porto and AS Monaco was played in Gelsenkirchen in May 2004 and five World Cup matches two years later, the royal blue living room will also be one of the venues for the European Championship in summer 2024.
Opening ceremony with Lionel Richie and a lightning tournament
The arena opened in style on August 13, 2001 with a performance by Lionel Richie. For over 40 minutes, the star singer brought soul to the royal blue living room. He was also granted the privilege of scoring the first goal in front of an audience. Other musical highlights of the premiere day were the guest performances by the groups PUR and Right said Fred. The next day, the ball rolled for the first time - in a lightning tournament with FC Schalke 04, rivals Borussia Dortmund and friends 1. FC Nürnberg.
The arena was recognized far beyond the borders of Germany, both then and now. In summer 2001, the European soccer association UEFA classified the multifunctional venue in its highest category to be awarded as a "five-star stadium" - with the addition: "The venue more than meets the requirements and could even be rated as a 'six-star stadium'."
The then FIFA President Joseph Blatter enthused: "The world has never seen a stadium like this." Even today, stars from the sports and music industry still get goosebumps when they stand inside the stadium for the first time and more than 60,000 visitors provide deafening applause and an unforgettable atmosphere. Because one thing has been true since the very first day: the arena is home to emotions.
