After the last home game of the 2023/2024 season, the sporting action continues at Schalke - in two ways. Before the ball rolls at UEFA EURO 2024 in June, AC/DC will take over the VELTINS-Arena. The two concerts by the Australian cult band will be followed by four European Championship matches and, after the tournament, three shows by US superstar Taylor Swift. Shortly afterwards, Rammstein performs five evenings at Schalke Stadium. Further highlights follow until the end of the year, meaning that an exciting year of events awaits Gelsenkirchen, the likes of which have never been seen before in the arena.
"Preparations have been in full swing for months. We are delighted that AC/DC will be kicking things off loudly and powerfully," says Matthias Tillmann, CEO of FC Schalke 04. "Our city and our arena are getting a lot of attention this year, not least due to the European Championships and an absolute world star like Taylor Swift. This will strengthen the region and inspire people far beyond Gelsenkirchen." Tillmann continues: "The implementation of the events requires intensive planning and a high degree of organization - a great challenge for our employees, whom I would like to thank on behalf of the Management Board."
In addition to the full-time staff, volunteers will also play an important role. Around 800 volunteers will be on site at each of the four European Football Championship matches alone. The Schalke catering team will also be in full swing: between 700 and 800 employees and temporary staff will be on duty at each concert for AC/DC, Taylor Swift and Rammstein. "This underlines the fact that Schalke is an important economic factor and employer for Gelsenkirchen and the region," emphasizes Tillmann.
The rock'n'roll band AC/DC will kick off an unforgettable month of events. The two concerts in the VELTINS-Arena (May 17 and 21) mark the start of the band's first European tour in eight years. The Australians will be performing songs from their 16th studio album Power Up, as well as hits such as "Highway to Hell".
The hot phase for the biggest sporting event of the year begins immediately after the second show. The Arena AufSchalke will be the venue for four exciting matches at Euro 2024. Gelsenkirchen is hosting top European teams and is looking forward to the matches between Serbia and England (16.6.), Spain and Italy (20.6.), Georgia and Portugal (26.6.) as well as a round of 16 match (30.6.).
The summer continues internationally. Ever since Gelsenkirchen made it onto the world-famous late-night show "Jimmy Kimmel Live", it's not just Americans who know where FC Schalke 04 is based. Taylor Swift, one of the biggest world stars of our time, will be playing three concerts (July 17, 18 and 19) in the Royal Blues' stadium. Apart from Hamburg and Munich, Gelsenkirchen is the only German city in which the singer will be performing on her record-breaking tour The Eras - she has never played more concerts in any other city.
"Taylor Swift moves the masses. She has been one of the defining artists of these years for over ten years," emphasizes Matthias Tillmann. "It's something very special that Gelsenkirchen can be a part of this huge hype. This is also a result of the outstanding work we have been doing at Schalke since the VELTINS-Arena opened more than two decades ago. We are really looking forward to the concerts and are excited to see where the fans will travel to us from."
Fans of rougher sounds will get their money's worth just a few days later: on five evenings (July 26, 27, 29, 30 and 31), Rammstein will create a great atmosphere in the Schalke stadium with an impressive stage construction and pyrotechnics.
It will also be loud, fast and action-packed in August when Monster Jam visits Gelsenkirchen for the first time (17.8.). At this top-class motorsport experience, Monster Jam drivers will battle it out with fan favorites such as Grave Digger® and El Toro Loco® for the title in various competition categories.
Year-end spurt
September continues with three premieres. The Flashback Megashow (7.9.) offers fans ten hours of non-stop partying with live acts such as Taio Cruz, Gigi D'Agostino, Blue and Atomic Kitten. The day before, KPOP Bang will use the event's stage set-up. Various acts from KPOP and several dance teams have been announced for the festival. Sports fans can look forward to the Championship Game 2024 of the European League of Football (ELF). For the first time, the final of the European league in American football will take place at Schalke (22.9.). Rhein Fire, who played their home games in the Royal Blues' stadium in 2003 and 2004, also have a chance of reaching the final.
The event year is not over yet: on October 12, the biggest Mallorca party in the world returns to the VELTINS-Arena with Olé auf Schalke. In December, the piste will be prepared for the 21st edition of the bett1.de Biathlon WTC at Schalke. The best athletes will once again take to the legendary arena track on December 28.
Many events, many visitors - and S04 has already set a record: With an average attendance of more than 61,000, the fans have set a new global record for the second division. A total of almost two million fans and visitors came to the VELTINS-Arena in 2023. An impressive figure that will be significantly exceeded in this unique year.
Tickets and further information for the events are available at tickets.schalke04.de, on the hotline 0209 | 9775 1877 and at the FC Schalke 04 Service Center.
