Holsteinstadion
Encyclopedia
Located in the port city of Kiel
in Northern Germany
, Holstein-Stadion is the home of Holstein Kiel
, a soccer
club currently playing in Germany's 3rd Liga
. It is also the home of the GFLs Kiel Baltic Hurricanes
.
In 2005, the DFB
ruled that the old stadium didn't meet the body's minimal stadium requirements, claiming the stadium was no longer fit for football and was in desperate need of a substantial makeover. Failure to make the required upgrades would rule the club ineligible to play in the 2nd Bundesliga
or potentially result in the DFB revoking Holstein Kiel's license entirely. City government and team officials subsequently developed a plan to provide 1.6 million Euros towards the renovation of the 50-year-old stadium.
The most significant changes included the removal of the dilapidated concrete steps that formerly encircled the playing field which were in danger of collapsing and unsafe for large capacity crowds. In their place, two new covered grandstands were constructed along the former backstretch and behind the west goal. The "Nordtribüne," measuring 119 meters long, now has 954 seats, surrounded by two blocks that each provide standing room for 1200 additional fans. The 81 meter long "Westtribüne" replaced the former fan curve and provides standing room for an additional 3,380 spectators. In an attempt to improve sightlines and provide for a better fan experience, both grandstands were constructed only 8 meters from the playing field. Additional upgrades include separated entrances for players, referees and other officials, new kiosks and concession stands, improved restroom facilities, and an on-site police trailer.
The new stadium has a crowd capacity of 12,000 and can be expanded to 15,000 should the squad advance into the Bundesliga's second division. The majority of the work was completed just hours before it opened on August 9, 2006 to a 5:0 Holstein Kiel
victory over 1. FC Magdeburg
.
Kiel
Kiel is the capital and most populous city in the northern German state of Schleswig-Holstein, with a population of 238,049 .Kiel is approximately north of Hamburg. Due to its geographic location in the north of Germany, the southeast of the Jutland peninsula, and the southwestern shore of the...
in Northern Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, Holstein-Stadion is the home of Holstein Kiel
Holstein Kiel
Holstein Kiel is a German association football and sports club based in the city of Kiel, Schleswig-Holstein. Through the 1910s and 1920s the club was a dominant side in northern Germany winning six regional titles and finishing as runners-up another six times...
, a soccer
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
club currently playing in Germany's 3rd Liga
3rd Liga
The 3rd Liga is the third division of football in Germany. The league started with the beginning of the 2008–09 season, when it replaced the Regionalliga as the third tier football league in Germany. In the German football league system, it is positioned between the 2...
. It is also the home of the GFLs Kiel Baltic Hurricanes
Kiel Baltic Hurricanes
The Kiel Baltic Hurricanes are an American football team based in Kiel, Germany.The club has been, of recent, a strong force in the sport in Germany, playing in four consecutive German Bowls from 2008 to 2011, losing the first two, winning the third and losing the fourth.The club is part of the...
.
In 2005, the DFB
German Football Association
The German Football Association is the governing body of football in Germany. A founding member of both FIFA and UEFA, the DFB organises the German football leagues, including the national league, the Bundesliga, and the men's and women's national teams. The DFB is based in Frankfurt and is...
ruled that the old stadium didn't meet the body's minimal stadium requirements, claiming the stadium was no longer fit for football and was in desperate need of a substantial makeover. Failure to make the required upgrades would rule the club ineligible to play in the 2nd Bundesliga
2. Fußball-Bundesliga
- Changes in division set-up :* Number of clubs: currently 18. From 1974 to 1981 there were two conferences, each of 20 teams. In 1981–91 it had 20...
or potentially result in the DFB revoking Holstein Kiel's license entirely. City government and team officials subsequently developed a plan to provide 1.6 million Euros towards the renovation of the 50-year-old stadium.
Stadium renovation
The new stadium has a crowd capacity of 12,000 and can be expanded to 15,000 should the squad advance into the Bundesliga's second division. The majority of the work was completed just hours before it opened on August 9, 2006 to a 5:0 Holstein Kiel
Holstein Kiel
Holstein Kiel is a German association football and sports club based in the city of Kiel, Schleswig-Holstein. Through the 1910s and 1920s the club was a dominant side in northern Germany winning six regional titles and finishing as runners-up another six times...
victory over 1. FC Magdeburg
1. FC Magdeburg
1. FC Magdeburg is a German association football club playing in Magdeburg, Saxony-Anhalt.-History:Football has been played in Magdeburg since the end of the 19th century. On 15 June 1896 SV Victoria 96 Magdeburg was founded, a club that had its best days before World War II, when it participated...
.