www.stadiaworld.com SPORTS VENUES 2023/24 | 55 CONSTRUCTION installed in the side areas, the middle section of the lower tier will probably have to remain empty, and a few seats will also be temporarily lost in the upper tier. “We plan to be ready for the start of the Bundesliga by 18 August. The main stand will then be 90 % usable for the public area,” the stadium operator explains. Hamburger SV had a little less work to do, yet the modernisation measures at the Volksparkstadion initially developed into something of a problem child. In the meantime, HSV board member Dr. Eric Huwer can speak in the club’s own media of a “somewhat bumpy start”, only to state with satisfaction “that all work has started, and we will complete all essential measures by the end of the year despite the great time pressure.” In fact, the start was so “bumpy” that a stadium closure and, for a short time, even a withdrawal of the EURO was threatened. The problem stemmed from the situation that HSV sold the stadium property back to the city in 2021 for cost reasons – and contrary to its promises, did not put the 23.5 million euros received for it into stadium renovation, but into covering running costs. Afterwards, the money was used up, the stadium was still in need of renovation – and the city was not willing to subsidise money again. In the meantime, HSV has been able to find an alternative solution for the financing and the modernisation measures are in full swing. The installation of new pitch and event lighting has already been completed and celebrated its inauguration at the city derby against FC St. Pauli. The reinforcement of the pylons of the roof structure is followed by the most extensive measure: the replacement of the entire roof membrane. Dr Huwer emphasises above all the long-term benefits of the measures: “I am particularly pleased that we are only carrying out sustainable and permanent construction measures here at the Volksparkstadion. Whether the already completed floodlights with new event lighting or the new sound system, the expanded sanitary capacities, the replacement of the roof membrane as well as the new air conditioning for our VIP guests in the east – all these measures will contribute to HSV fans having a better stadium experience in the future and will thus benefit directly from the EURO 2024. I would particularly like to highlight the expansion of the seats for wheelchair users, which will also be optimised in terms of sight lines. This will ensure that we enable all HSV fans to attend our home matches.” Hamburger SV is calculating a total budget of 25 to 30 million euros for all permanent and temporary measures. Infrastructural investments A similar cost framework is expected for the Olympiastadion Berlin. 24 million euros have been earmarked for various permanent renovation works, with the focus on improvements for visitors with limited mobility. Additional barrier-free supply facilities are to be created, the number, comfort and visibility of wheelchair spaces are to be improved, and general signage and wayfinding are to be optimised. Sustainability projects such as the installation of e-charging columns and heat recovery systems will also be implemented. The modernisation of the camera technology has already been completed, as has the conversion to new turnstiles at the entrance. In addition, the expansion of the fibre optic network and the installation of a stadium-wide WLAN network is said to have cost around 4 million euros alone. Investments in the stadium’s connectivity are also on the agenda in Munich. A comprehensive 5G network is to be in place there by the start of the tournament, after partial areas have already been covered. In general, the Allianz Arena is once again in increased construction mode, even if most of the work is not directly related to EURO 2024. The home dressing room area is being completely redesigned; a new lounge area for the Bayern players is being built as well as a modernised kitchen and extended changing rooms and offices for the coaching staff. All in all, the space available for players and coaches in the stadium is to be doubled. Construction work is also planned in the spectator area: In the lower tier of the north curve, the standing and seating areas will be redistributed. Whereas up to now there have been almost 6,600 standing places in front of retractable seats, a real standing area will now be created in the outer blocks of the curve. There will then be room for around 4,000 spectators in this area. In future, there will be no standing in front of the folding seats, which will remain in the middle of the curve, so that these 2,500 tickets can be sold at a higher price than seats. Contrary to media reports, the overall capacity of the stadium will not change as a result of these measures. Dortmund Borussia is currently busy with modernisation work in the largest national stadium. An amount in the double-digit millions is being invested in the creation of a new kitchen and logistics centre, which is being built as an extension to the west stand of SIGNAL IDUNA PARK. On a total of five levels (including the stadium’s first basement) of 500 m² each, BVB will then once again have state-of-the-art facilities with its new kitchen, logistics and catering area. The construction work is scheduled for completion in April 2024, i.e. in good time before the start of the EURO, even if – as in Munich – the work would have taken place independently of the tournament. The situation is different for the installation of a new LED floodlight system. BVB is obliged to supply this as part of the tournament requirements – a conversion measure whose necessity is shared with the MERKUR SPIEL-ARENA, the Deutsche Bank Park, the Volksparkstadion, the MHPArena and the RheinEnergieSTADION.
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