Signal Iduna Park facts for kids
| Westfalenstadion BVB Stadion Dortmund (UEFA competitions) |
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| Full name | Signal Iduna Park |
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| Former names | Westfalenstadion FIFA World Cup Stadium Dortmund (2006 FIFA World Cup) |
| Location | Strobelallee 50 44139 Dortmund, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany |
| Owner | Borussia Dortmund GmbH & Co. KGa |
| Operator | Borussia Dortmund GmbH & Co. KGa |
| Executive suites | 11 |
| Capacity | 81,365 (domestic matches), 65,829 (international matches) Capacity history
53,872 (1974–1992)
42,800 (1992–1996) 54,000 (1996–1999) 68,600 (1999–2003) 83,000 (2003–2005) 81,264 (2005–2006) 80,708 (2006–2008) 80,552 (2008–2010) 80,720 (2010–2011) 80,645 (2012–2013) 80,667 (2014) |
| Record attendance | 83,000 |
| Field size | 105 by 68 m (344 by 223 ft) |
| Construction | |
| Built | 1971–1974 |
| Opened | 2 April 1974 |
| Renovated | 1992, 1995–99, 2002–03, 2006 |
| Construction cost | DM32.7 million (1974) estimated €200 million (2006) |
| Architect | Planungsgruppe Drahtler |
| Tenants | |
| Borussia Dortmund (1974–present) Germany national football team (selected matches) |
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Signal Iduna Park is a famous association football stadium in Dortmund, Germany. It was first known as the Westfalenstadion, which means "Westphalia Stadium" in German. Since November 2005, it has been called Signal Iduna Park.
This stadium is the largest football stadium in Germany. It can hold 81,365 fans for local games! For international matches, it holds 65,829 people. UEFA calls it an "elite stadium." This means it's good enough to host big final matches for club teams.
Signal Iduna Park is the home stadium for the German Bundesliga team Borussia Dortmund. Their fans are very loyal and have set records for how many people come to watch games. The stadium is located near the Strobelallee road in Dortmund.
Contents
History of the Stadium
The stadium was built between 1971 and 1974. It was made ready for the 1974 FIFA World Cup. When it first opened, it could hold about 54,000 fans.
The very first game played here was a friendly match. It was between Borussia Dortmund and their rivals, FC Schalke 04. Borussia Dortmund moved into this new stadium for the 1974/75 football season. Before that, they played at a different stadium called "Rote Erde."
The first top-league game played at the stadium was between VfL Bochum and FC Schalke 04. This happened in April 1976. At that time, Borussia Dortmund was still playing in a lower league.
How the Stadium Changed
The stadium stayed mostly the same until the early 1990s.
Early Changes
In 1992, the north stand was changed. Standing areas were replaced with seats. This made the stadium's capacity smaller, down to 42,800 people.
Between 1995 and 1999, more parts of the stadium were updated. They started with the west and east stands, which are along the long sides of the playing field. Later, the north and south stands also got roofs. After these changes, the stadium could hold 68,600 fans.
Big Updates for More Fans
In 2003 and 2004, the stadium corners were filled in. This added even more space. The south stand became a huge standing area for 25,000 fans. It is now the largest standing-only grandstand in Europe! For international games, these standing areas can be turned into seats. After these big changes, the stadium could hold almost 83,000 fans.
The outside of the north stand is made of glass. Inside, there are places to eat and the BVB museum. A special feature of the stadium is its bright yellow steel beams. These beams are outside the stadium and stick up high over the roof. You can see them from many parts of the city!
Ready for the World Cup
The stadium had its last big update in the summer of 2005. This was to get it ready for the 2006 FIFA World Cup. During this time, they added new electronic entry systems. They also improved areas for fans with disabilities. The VIP areas, changing rooms, and bathrooms were also updated.
Because of these changes, about 1,500 seats were removed. So, the stadium now holds 81,264 fans. The south stand, known as Die Südtribüne, still offers 25,000 standing places. It is still the biggest standing-only grandstand in Europe.
New Name for the Stadium
On December 1, 2005, the Westfalenstadion officially changed its name to Signal Iduna Park. This happened because a company called Signal Iduna Group bought the rights to use their name for the stadium. This kind of deal helps the football club, Borussia Dortmund, get money.
Some fans of Borussia Dortmund had mixed feelings about this. On one hand, it helped the club financially. On the other hand, some felt it broke a long-standing tradition of the stadium's original name.
In early 2006, the local city council decided to name a road near the stadium "Westfalenstadion." This made many fans happy because the traditional name would still be used for something important.
Images for kids
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The south stand, Die Südtribüne, is the largest free-standing grandstand in Europe. Fans call it "Die gelbe Wand", which means "The Yellow Wall"
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The Borusseum, a museum about Borussia Dortmund, opened in 2008.
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The yellow pylons that give the stadium its characteristic exterior.
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Subway Station Möllerbrücke
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Surrounding Area - Kreuzviertel.
See also
In Spanish: Signal Iduna Park para niños
