Commerzbank-Arena

Commerzbank-Arena

Waldstadion
Full name	Commerzbank-Arena
Former names	Waldstadion (1925-2005) FIFA World Cup Stadium, Frankfurt (2006 FIFA World Cup)
Location	Frankfurt, Germany
Built	1925
Opened	1925
Owner	Waldstadion Frankfurt Gesellschaft für Projektentwicklung
Operator	Stadion Frankfurt Management GmbH
Surface	Grass
Construction cost	EUR 126 Million
Architect	Gerkan, Marg & Partner
Capacity	Football: 52,300 (9,300 standing) American football: 48,000 Concert: 55,000
Field dimensions	105 m x 68 m
Tenants
Eintracht Frankfurt (Bundesliga) 1925-present Frankfurt Galaxy (NFL Europa) 1995-2007 SV Wehen Wiesbaden (2nd Bundesliga) 2007 FSV Frankfurt (2nd Bundesliga) 2008-2009

The Commerzbank-Arena viewed from Maintower.

The Waldstadion (official name:Commerzbank-Arena) is a 52,300 seat football stadium in Frankfurt, Germany. It is the home of Eintracht Frankfurt of the Bundesliga. The Waldstadion was first opened in 1925 and during World War II it was used for political events of the Nazi Party.

The stadium has been named "Commerzbank-Arena" since July 2005. But most people, especially the fans of Eintracht Frankfurt, still call it Waldstadion. During the 2006 FIFA World Cup, the stadium was called "FIFA WM Stadion Frankfurt" (in English, "FIFA World Cup Stadium Frankfurt"). Large modifications were made for the tournament with the stadium being nearly completely rebuilt and modernized. Now it is one of Germany's biggest stadiums and there have already been some important events in 2005, such as the finale of the Confederations Cup.

One modification involved suspending a large four-sided structure over the stadium with large screens on each side for the crowds to see. On sunny days this creates a large shadow on the pitch, making it more difficult to watch matches via television because the cameras have to adjust between the light dark areas of the pitch. During the first match in the stadium of the 2006 World Cup between England and Paraguay, a goal kick from England goalkeeper Paul Robinson struck the video cube and bounced into play.

During the South Korea vs Togo match the roof was closed over the stadium, despite the weather being dry and sunny, presumably to shade the whole pitch and avoid the effects of the shadow. This decision was criticised by some because it meant the stadium became very hot and humid on an already hot and humid day.

2006 FIFA World Cup

The stadium was one of the venues for the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

The following games were played at the stadium during the World Cup of 2006:

Date	Time (CET)	Team #1	Result	Team #2	Round	Spectators
10 June 2006	15.00	England	1 – 0	Paraguay	Group B	48,000
13 June 2006	15.00	Korea Republic	2 – 1	Togo	Group G	48,000
17 June 2006	15.00	Portugal	2 – 0	Iran	Group D	48,000
21 June 2006	21.00	Netherlands	0 – 0	Argentina	Group C	48,000
1 July 2006	21.00	Brazil	0 – 1	France	Quarter-finals	48,000

Other events

Following musicians played shows at the Waldstadion:

• Céline Dion
• Bon Jovi
• Guns N' Roses
• Genesis
• Herbert Grönemeyer
• Michael Jackson
• Madonna
• Marius Müller-Westernhagen
• Prince
• Rolling Stones
• Bruce Springsteen
• Supertramp
• Tina Turner
• U2

In August and September 2007, the Commerzbank-Arena temporarily served as the home ground of the newly promoted 2nd Bundesliga side SV Wehen Wiesbaden, because their new stadium, the Brita-Arena, was not ready to host matches until October. The club played four league matches in the stadium, staying undefeated as they won three times and drew once.

In 2008-09 the ground is also home ground of Bornheim based club FSV Frankfurt whose actual stadium Bornheimer Hang was not proved as suitable for the 2nd Bundesliga. Ironically the Bornheimer Hang was renovated for 3rd Liga's needs and now serves as home ground for Eintracht Frankfurt's reserve team, Eintracht Frankfurt U23.

The Commerzbank-Arena was also the home ground of NFL Europe's Frankfurt Galaxy, and hosted three World Bowls. It hosted its third and final World Bowl on June 23, 2007, when the Frankfurt Galaxy lost to the Hamburg Sea Devils in World Bowl XV.

Following bookings for the ground have already been confirmed:

• Jehovah's Witnesses
• Dalai Lama
• Depeche Mode

Panoramic view of the stadium.

External links

• Official site (in German and English)