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Accessibility

In the foreground you can see a parking sign, in the background the VELTINS-Arena

Barrier-free arrival

When the VELTINS-Arena was built in 2001, it was already a central concern to equip the arena with the greatest possible accessibility. The aim is to enable all visitors with disabilities to enjoy a comfortable visit to the arena to the full. This starts with the parking spaces, which allow disabled parking in the immediate vicinity of the arena.

Arrival

Parking spaces for fans in wheelchairs, with visual impairments or exceptional walking disabilities (aG), who are in possession of the blue/orange parking permit, are available at various locations around the VELTINS-Arena.

People with reduced mobility can reach the arena via the "Willy-Brandt-Allee" stop. This stop has no steps and is only slightly further away from the arena. From here, please follow the signs.

By car, you can reach the arena directly via exit 6 - Gelsenkirchen-Buer - on the A 2 and exit 17 - Gelsenkirchen-Schalke - on the A 42. From the junctions, please follow the signs to the VELTINS-Arena.

Parking

Sufficient parking spaces for people with walking disabilities and wheelchair users are available at the following locations. Tickets are also required for these parking spaces. These can be ordered via the hotline 0209 | 97751877. Information on availability can be found at service@schalke04.de.*

  • At the arena ring
  • At the Parkallee at the hotel/medicos
  • In the medicos parking garage (level 2) with access to the arena via the Charly Neumann Bridge.
  • In the parking garage P2-PH1 on Stan-Libuda-Weg with access to the arena via the stair lift (maximum load capacity 225 kg) at the West 2 entrance.

A discounted parking season ticket can only be ordered in conjunction with a seat season ticket.

Holders of a severely disabled person's pass with a degree of disability of at least 70 percent
and an exceptional walking disability (aG)
or a parking facilitation (aG-light)
or fans with a visual impairment or blindness
can apply for a parking season ticket by sending an e-mail to service@schalke04.de.

Under the same conditions that apply to the ordering of parking lot season tickets, parking lot day tickets can also be purchased subject to availability.

  • P2 with access to the arena via the stair lift (maximum load capacity 225 kg) at the West entrance 2.
To the arrival & parking page

*Different regulations may apply for special events. Please refer to our website for specific information for each event.

Spectator seats

A total of 98 seats are available for wheelchair users and one accompanying person on the back straight in the arena. The seats are located in blocks L to U, the spectator seats for the accompanying persons in row 30 directly in front of them. At concerts, the number of seats available may be lower depending on the location of the stage.

People with limited mobility have the opportunity to watch FC Schalke 04 home matches in the arena in the specially equipped Block X. A limited number of day tickets are available for this area, which can be extended if there is sufficient demand. In addition, Block U offers seats for deaf fans to enable barrier-free participation in the match. For concerts and other events, the regulations of the respective organizer apply.

Back view of a wheelchair, a Schalke fan scarf lies over the backrest
A man with headphones and a microphone sits at a desk and looks into the interior of the VELTINS-Arena

Our services

At S04 home matches, we offer a special shuttle service for fans with limited mobility. The "Kumpelkarre" is a spacious golf cart that shuttles between a parking lot and the stadium entrance several times before and after the game. This free service is operated by volunteers and makes it easier for fans with disabilities or temporary walking difficulties to get to and from the stadium.

All information about the Kumpelkarre

Visually impaired and blind visitors can also enjoy a special service in the Gelsenkirchen Arena: trained and DFL-certified reporters for the blind commentate live on the matches. Since the arena opened in 2001, the team of eight volunteer commentators has enabled visitors to experience all aspects of the game live. A total of 20 headsets are currently available. Reception is possible in all seats in the arena.

The blind reporters will distribute the headphones in Block X and Block O against a deposit (key, ID, etc.). Alternatively, they can also be handed out at the service point at stairwell 5.*.

All information about the Knappen commentary

At home matches, we lend so-called "Sensory Bags" to fans who suffer from the loud and hectic stadium atmosphere. Among other things, these bags contain headphones that reduce the noise level, as well as various small aids (such as stress balls or fidget spinners) to calm them down. The aim is to make it easier for affected visitors - such as autistic fans or people with anxiety - to visit the stadium.

All information about the Sensory Bags

For safety reasons, wheelchairs are not permitted inside the stadium, as bulky objects can become a dangerous obstacle if the stadium needs to be cleared quickly.

Wheelchairs must therefore be left in front of blocks X and Y or in front of blocks L-U with the staff from the disabled support service. Wheelchairs can also be handed in there by fans who only need them to get to the stadium and have regular seats outside the wheelchair area inside the stadium.

You can also be picked up there afterwards.

Rollator parking spaces

There are several parking spaces for walking frames at stairwells 3, 7, 12 and 16. In the immediate vicinity of the elevators, people with limited mobility can park their walking frames here free of charge. Families can also park their baby carriages in the pushchair parking spaces on match day. The spaces will remain unguarded, so owners should lock their vehicles - they will need to bring their own locks. In addition, the existing drop-off points will remain in place.

Tickets for people with disabilities

Tickets for FC Schalke 04 home matches are available to holders of a severely disabled-Identification with a degree of disability of at least 70 at a reduced price. More detailed information on purchasing tickets for people with disabilities or fans with restricted mobility can be found at visit the FC Schalke 04 website.
The regulations may differ for other events. Information on the individual events can be found on the respective event pagecan be called up here.
The Service Center can also provide information by telephone via 0209 | 97751877 or by e-mail toservice@schalke04.de.* 

HERE YOU CAN FIND OUT MORE ABOUT PURCHASING TICKETS
A person in a wheelchair with a wheel cover showing a blue and white S04 logo and several signatures. The person's hands are in their lap, their lower legs are visible.
A blue sign shows a white pictogram with a person in a wheelchair; a Schalke flag is attached to the wheelchair. An arrow points to the left, with WC written underneath.

Sanitary facilities

Sanitary facilities with disabled access are located in the following arena areas:

  • WC facility with 3 WC cubicles, accessible via block O and M WC facility
  • WC facility with 3 WC cubicles, accessible via blocks T and R
  • 1 WC in the press area (room 2004)
  • 1 WC in the LaOla Club in Block I
  • 1 WC in the Glückauf Club

To the stadium map

Easy language

Information in plain language can be found here.

Easy language

Contact person

The disabled fans' representative Sven Graner will be happy to answer any questions you may have about attending FC Schalke 04 home matches in the VELTINS-Arena. He can be reached via fanbelange@schalke04.de.

For concerts and other events, the first point of contact is the disabled access service of the respective event organizer. Contact can be made via the S04 Service Center (0209 | 97751877, service@schalke04.de).

On event days, the employees from the Disability Support team (recognizable by their mint green clothing) are also happy to help in the stadium.

Further information for a barrier-free visit to the VELTINS-Arena can also be found on our information portal Fans with disabilities.

*Different regulations may apply for special events. Please refer to our website for specific information for each event.