The VELTINS-Arena is not only known in Gelsenkirchen, but also far beyond the region as an institution for top-class events and a wide variety of events. But soon it will be even more prominent - next year, sports and music fans from all over the world will be flocking to the Schalke stadium for the European Football Championships and Taylor Swift concerts.
An event for which the VELTINS-Arena has already made a name for itself is celebrating its anniversary shortly before the end of the year: for the 20th time, the best athletes will be competing in the biathlon at Schalke on December 28. Whether soccer, winter sports, concerts or festivals - there is hardly an event that has not yet taken place at Schalke. Since its opening in 2001, the venue has been one of the most impressive multifunctional arenas in Europe. The calendar has been full to bursting right from the start, and 2024 promises to be a particularly eventful year.
S04 home games and Euro 2024
Head coach Karel Geraerts' team will kick things off. After the test match against Belgian first division team KAS Eupen (January 13), S04 will kick off the second half of the current second division season on Saturday, January 20, at 8:30 p.m. against Hamburger SV. In addition to the Royal Blues' matches, many other crowd-pullers await in 2024: In June, the Arena AufSchalke - as it will officially be called during the tournament - will host three preliminary round matches as well as a round of 16 match of the 2024 European Football Championship. Gelsenkirchen can look forward to welcoming the national teams and many fans from England, Italy, Portugal, Serbia and Spain. There will also be the play-off winner from the quartet of Georgia, Greece, Kazakhstan and Luxembourg. The round of 16 clash will kick off on June 30 at the S04 stadium.
Musical highlights
But 2024 also has a lot to offer musically: It starts with "The 80s live at Schalke" on Saturday, March 23. From Boy George to Paul Young and Samantha Fox - the biggest stars of that decade will be performing live in Gelsenkirchen. They will bring the lifestyle of the 80s to the VELTINS-Arena for the first time and promise a journey through time in a class of its own.
The premiere of "KPOP BANG", a new KPOP festival in Europe, was originally planned for September 2023. It will now be held in spring: on Saturday, April 20, fans will be thrilled by the unique festival at Schalke with six megastar acts and a big show with great dance teams. The event will be complemented by a Korean food festival around the stadium, where Korean specialties and KPOP merchandising will be on offer.
Just a few months later, an absolute world star lands in Gelsenkirchen:
Pop icon Taylor Swift. On a total of three evenings (July 17, 18 and 19), the US singer will perform her "The Eras Tour" in the VELTINS Arena. She will delight her fans with songs from all ten of her studio albums released to date, with numerous hits such as "Shake It Off", "I Knew You Were Trouble" and "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" on the setlist. Special guest alternative rock band Paramore will get the audience in the mood.
Fans of darker 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 their impressive stage construction and pyrotechnics. A unique opportunity to experience the band once again - or for the first time - just in time for their 30th anniversary.
Monster Jam and European League of Football
It will be loud, fast and action-packed in August when the VELTINS-Arena experiences its Monster Jam premiere. The popular format for fans and adrenaline junkies of all ages will be a guest in Gelsenkirchen on Saturday, August 17, 2024. Spectators can look forward to a top-class motorsport experience. The globally acclaimed Monster Jam riders will battle for the title with fan favorites such as the legendary Grave Digger®, El Toro Loco® and Megalodon® in the freestyle, skills and racing categories.
The sporting action continues around a month later: on Sunday, September 22, another event will celebrate its premiere at Schalke - the final of the European League of Football. The ELF is a European league in American football. It was founded in November 2020 and started its first season on June 19, 2021. In the current season, the league comprises 16 teams from nine nations. The 2024 Championship Game will take place in the VELTINS-Arena for the first time and will attract numerous football fans from Germany and Europe.
A traditional spectacle celebrates its 18th birthday in fall 2024 with "Olé auf Schalke". The biggest Mallorca party tour in the world will come of age next year and, as always, will provide a great atmosphere with the biggest stars of the pop scene on Saturday, October 12. Mia Julia, Mickie Krause, Oli.P, HBz, Candela Squad, Frenzy, Isi Glück and, for the first time, Knossi will be back.
2024 has something for everyone. All news about the events and new events can be found at en.veltins-arena.de.
Tickets:
Tickets for "Die 80er live auf Schalke", KPOP BANG, MONSTER JAM, the final of the European League of Football and "Olé auf Schalke" are available at tickets.schalke04.de. A few hospitality seats are still available for three Rammstein concerts.
Tickets for the biathlon WTC on December 28, 2023 are also still available from 19 euros at tickets.schalke04.de.
