“The Technological Progress Has Been Enormous”

In an interview with stadiaworld, Dr. Christian Hockenjos, Director of Organization at BVB and Managing Director of BVB Stadionmanagement GmbH, looks back on 20 years since the “Sommermärchen 2006” (the summer fairy-tale), the German stadium landscape, and the most important developments.

Dr. Christian Hockenjos
Dr. Christian Hockenjos Image: Hendrik Deckers / BVB
stadiaworld: Looking back today – from a professional perspective – on the World Cup and on your stadium in 2006, what is the first thing that comes to mind?
Hockenjos: Six football festivals without any unpleasant side effects whatsoever, every match a “happening,” and excellent cooperation between all parties involved: FIFA, the DFB, the local organising committee and the authorities. And – from a slightly different perspective – it felt as though the “Sommermärchen” began here in Dortmund at SIGNAL IDUNA PARK with the Germany versus Poland match and Oliver Neuville’s late winning goal ...