Arena AufSchalke

Plans to construct a new stadium emerged in the late 1990s, as fans and managers sought to move out of the outdated Parkstadion, and create a modern multifunctional arena. Following Schalke 04's 1997 victory in the UEFA Cup and the club's upcoming 100th anniversary in 2004, the contract to construct a stadium was given in 1998 to the German construction firm HBM. ==Site and layout==

The site chosen for Schalke 04's new stadium is in the direct vicinity of the old Parkstadion, on an extensive piece of club owned property known as the "Berger Feld". Unfortunately, two mine shafts of the "Consolidation" and "Hugo" coal-mines run directly beneath this field at a depth of 800 m. These shafts (in use until 2000) would have caused unwanted shifts and tensions that could have compromised the structural integrity of the stadium. To avoid this, the main axis was rotated from the classic north–south arrangement to a northeast–southwest alignment, making the arena parallel to the mines. The Veltins-Arena was created as a multi-functional arena of two tiers that completely surround the playing field. These allow for a league capacity of 62,271 spectators (standing and seated) and an international capacity of 54,740. For league matches, the North stand is left as standing rows (capacity: 16,307) to accommodate the Schalke 04 fans, while for international matches, these are converted to seats (capacity: 8,600). The 72 VIP lounges form a ring around the entire stadium, separating the first tier from the second tier. On the main Western grandstand, the VIP capacity is increased by a second level of lounges directly beneath the main belt. The foundation for the stadium was created out of cast concrete and of packed slag, a waste product from the steel smelting industry. These were packed into mounds to support the four main stands, which were made out of pre-fabricated, reinforced concrete sections. Leading into the four corners of the arena are tunnels, which serve both as access for construction and assembly, and as ventilation for the interior. ==Roof and pitch==

The Veltins-Arena features a Teflon-coated fiberglass canvas retractable roof, which spans the entire stadium. The roof is supported by a rectangular truss that is suspended above the field, which is in turn connected to the main building via 24 steel pylons. The center of the roof can be opened into two halves, allowing for an opened or covered stadium, depending on weather and event. To reduce the exterior noise of up to 105 decibels during concerts, a second layer of Teflon-coated fiberglass canvas was added over the first, creating a dampening air cushion. Hanging over the center of the pitch are four video screens, each with a surface area of . The centrally suspended scoreboard, similar to those found inside indoor sports arenas, was the first of its kind in football stadium, and has since been copied in the Deutsche Bank Park in Frankfurt and the Merkur Spiel-Arena in Düsseldorf. Like the Sapporo Dome in Japan, the State Farm Stadium and Allegiant Stadium in the U.S. and the GelreDome in the Netherlands, the Veltins-Arena features a slide-out pitch. Supported by a substructure, the playing field can be moved in and out of the stadium within four hours. This has several advantages: • The grass playing surface can grow under normal outside conditions without suffering from a lack of circulation and light as in other arenas. • The football pitch is not damaged during indoor events such as concerts. • The floor of the multi-functional hall can be converted and retro-fitted within a short amount of time. • The outside area that is not occupied by the field can be used as parking facilities for buses during football matches. ==Catering and venues==

To provide for over 60,000 spectators, the Veltins-Arena is equipped with an abundance of catering facilities. With 15 small restaurants, 50 grilling stations and 35 cafés, the stadium can serve up to of sausages, 7,000 pretzels, and of pizza in one day. These catering areas are connected to a long beer-line, supplying them with roughly of beer per match day. ==Other events==

The Veltins-Arena has hosted major events in football and other sports. Among them was the 2004 UEFA Champions League final between AS Monaco and Porto, which drew over 53,000 spectators. During the 2024–25 UEFA Champions League, the stadium served as the temporary home of Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk due to the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War. During the renovation of Rheinstadion in Düsseldorf, the Arena served as the temporary home of the Rhein Fire of NFL Europe, an American football league. World Bowl XII was hosted by the stadium. In May 2004, the Veltins-Arena hosted a pop concert, a Bundesliga match and an NFL Europe game all within 96 hours. Other events have included the biathlon World Team Challenge exhibition race, stock car races and operas. In June 2009, it was the scene of a world heavyweight championship boxing match between Wladimir Klitschko and Ruslan Chagaev, which drew an audience of 60,000. The Veltins-Arena was among several venues to bid for a UEFA Europa League final or a UEFA Women's Champions League final for either 2026 or 2027. 2006 FIFA World Cup The stadium was one of the venues for the 2006 World Cup. However, because FIFA controls all sponsorship associated with its tournaments (including that of competition venues), the arena was called FIFA World Cup Stadium Gelsenkirchen (; ) during the World Cup. Wayne Rooney was sent off for England in the quarterfinal game against Portugal. The following games were played at the stadium during the 2006 World Cup: Speedway 2007 Speedway Grand Prix of Germany – 2007 German SGP Winner The Veltins-Arena hosted the final Grand Prix of the 2007 motorcycle speedway World Championship season on 13 October 2007, the 2007 Speedway Grand Prix of Germany, the 100th Grand Prix in the history of the competition. It was billed as "The richest minute in motorsport". The winner of the event won US by virtue of winning the final heat of the event, with each heat taking about one minute to complete. 25,000 fans saw the Grand Prix won by Swedish rider Andreas Jonsson, who beat American Greg Hancock, and Australians, Jason Crump and Leigh Adams in the final. Nicki Pedersen who went out of the competition at the semi-final stage was crowned World Champion. The temporary speedway track at the Veltins-Arena was in length. Andreas Jonsson and Greg Hancock jointly hold the four-lap record, having set a time of 56.9 seconds in heats 21 and 23 respectively. 2008 Speedway Grand Prix of Germany The Veltins-Arena was supposed to host the 2008 Speedway Grand Prix of Germany. It was scheduled to take place on 11 October 2008. However, the meeting was cancelled because the track (temporary) was deemed unsafe by the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) jury due to adverse weather conditions (even though the retractable roof was closed for the duration of laying the track). The event was re-staged at the Polonia Stadium, Bydgoszcz, Poland, on 18 October and was renamed the 2008 FIM Final Speedway Grand Prix. 2010 Ice Hockey World Championship The opening game of the 74th IIHF World Championship took place at Veltins-Arena on 7 May 2010. At this occasion the crowd of 77,803 set a then World Record for ice hockey attendance. The host team Germany beat the United States 2–1 in overtime. 2018 German Darts Masters The stadium hosted the 2018 German Darts Masters. The event achieved a record-breaking attendance of 20,210, the most ever at a darts event. The event was won by Mensur Suljović. UEFA Euro 2024 The stadium was one of the venues for the UEFA Euro 2024. However, due to sponsorship contracts, the arena used its non-sponsored name during the tournament. The following matches were played at the stadium: ==Inspiration of other stadiums==

The Veltins-Arena served as a model for State Farm Stadium, which shares features with its German counterpart, such as a retractable roof and slide-out pitch. Veltins-Arena has been a source of inspiration for Friends Arena. The arena also has ties to Lucas Oil Stadium. In that stadium, the retractable-roof also opens lengthwise from the center to the touchlines. ==Average attendances==