Gelsenkirchen is in football fever. The final of the European League of Football in the VELTINS-Arena is already casting its shadow ahead, around seven months before the first kick-off. Together with the organizers, FC Schalke 04 is also looking forward to the upcoming event.
American football is nothing new in Gelsenkirchen, as Schalke's CEO Matthias Tillmann reminded the audience at the joint press conference with the European League of Football (ELF) in the stadium's media center on Monday (26 February). After all, Düsseldorf Rhein Fire had already caused a stir in the royal blue living room 20 years ago. "Since then, the popularity of the sport has continued to grow in Europe and Germany, which we recently experienced with the American football games in Munich and Frankfurt," explains the 40-year-old. "When we were given the opportunity to host the final here in our arena, we naturally wanted to do it straight away and inspire the spectators in the Ruhr region."
Zeljko Karajica, Managing Director of the European League of Football, is also looking forward to the event on September 22. "I've already planned several events in the VELTINS-Arena, it's one of the most beautiful arenas in the country." With the help of the royal blue environment, a big celebration is to take place at Schalke at the end of this year's season. "We are here in the middle of a metropolitan region, we want to inspire people with the sport and set a new record in football outside the USA," adds the 53-year-old.
Patrick Esume, a former American football player, founded the European League of Football together with Karajica in November 2020. Today, the 50-year-old Hamburg native is ELF commissioner - with special memories of football in Gelsenkirchen. "I lost as a coach here in the stadium in 2004 and I haven't been back since," explains Esume. "The atmosphere back then was magical with the closed roof, the flames and 40,000 spectators. In terms of the 'American feeling', this is the closest thing to an NFL game. That's why I'm delighted that we're here again - even if my heart still bleeds a little because of those days."
The European League of Football is set to reach its next milestone at Schalke. It all started in 2021 with eight teams from three countries, now there are already 17 teams from nine nations - and the league is set to grow to 24 teams. "That will take time, but every step brings us closer," says Karajica. This year, the organizers are aiming for around 750,000 spectators over the entire season, and over 20,000 tickets have already been sold for the event at Schalke. "I myself experienced in the USA what the Super Bowl does to an entire country. Football is characterized by this fascination, and the sport is now making huge waves here too," explains Matthias Tillmann.
But it's not just the game that should excite the spectators. A fan mile will be set up around the stadium with a pre-game party, music and a live stage. "A folk festival meets high-performance sport," says Karajica about the project. "We have a mixed audience, so we want to offer an experience with something for everyone." For a great atmosphere and a big football celebration in the VELTINS-Arena at Schalke.
Tickets for the Championship Game 2024 on September 22 are available here.
