Construction of the stadium began in 2002 and was completed in 2004.[citation needed] It was built to replace the former Rheinstadion at the same site near the river Rhine.
The structure's initial seating capacity of 51,500 was expanded in summer 2010 when some seating areas were converted into standing terraces, and it currently[when?] holds 54,600.[3]
The stadium has a retractable roof, as well as a heating system making it possible to comfortably host events throughout the year.
Sports events
International football matches
While the stadium was not one of the venues for the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, it has hosted several international matches since it opened.
The first international match at the stadium was an international friendly between Germany and Argentina on 9 February 2005, ending in a 2–2 draw. On 7 February 2007, Germany played their second international friendly in the Arena, beating Switzerland 3–1. On 11 February 2009, Germany suffered[tone] a 1–0 defeat to Norway.
Portugal also played two international friendlies at the stadium. On 1 March 2006, Portugal recorded a 3–0 win over Saudi Arabia.[citation needed] On 26 March 2008, Portugal played their second international friendly at the stadium, suffering[citation needed] a 2–1 defeat to Greece.
In September 2022, the venue hosted a friendly between USA and Japan.
UEFA Euro 2024
The stadium will be one of the venues for the UEFA Euro 2024. However, due to sponsorship contracts, the arena will be called "Düsseldorf Arena" during the tournament.
The following matches will be played at the stadium:
The arena will also host the opening ceremony of the 2025 Summer World University Games and is scheduled to host the basketball, 3x3 basketball and volleyball events.
Music events
German Singer Herbert Grönemeyer opened the arena with two concerts on 7 and 8 January 2005 as conclusion of his Mensch-Tour.[citation needed] On 8 June 2011, he returned with his Schiffsverkehr Tour.
The German rock band Die Toten Hosen, which is based in Düsseldorf, gave a total of seven concerts in the arena.[citation needed] The first one on 10 September 2005 as last concert of their Friss Oder Stirb Tour.[citation needed] They returned to the homeground of their favourite football team[relevant?] for two more concerts on 11 and 12 October 2013 as final of their Krach der Republik Tour.[citation needed] The next two concerts were on 12 and 13 October 2018 as part of their Laune der Natour.[citation needed] The two most recent concerts were on 24 and 25 June 2022 as part of their 40 years Anniversary Tour.
Phil Collins played the arena four times: First as a solo artist during his First Final Farewell Tour on 12 and 13 November 2005 and then again with his band Genesis during their Turn It On Again Tour on 26 and 27 June 2007 in a sold-out crowd of 88,397 fans in attendance.
British Rock band The Rolling Stones played the arena three times: First on 12 August 2007 during the Bigger Bang Tour, then again on 19 June 2014 as part of the 14 On Fire Tour and on 9 October 2017 during the No Filter Tour.
Bon Jovi performed at the stadium on 13 May 2006 during their Have A Nice Day Tour, in front of a sold-out crowd of 47,862 people.[citation needed] The band performed at the stadium for the second time on 13 July 2011 during their Live 2011, in front of a sold-out crowd of 43,625 people.
On New Year's Eve 2008, the dance music event Sensation was held with an attendance of over 15,000.
Depeche Mode performed at the stadium six times: the first and the second were on 20 and 21 January 2006 during their Touring the Angel.[citation needed] The third and the fourth were on 26 and 27 February 2010 during their Tour of the Universe, in front of a total crowd of 90,693 people.[citation needed] The fifth and the sixth were on 3 and 5 July 2013 during their Delta Machine Tour, in front of a total sold-out crowd of 87,308 people.[citation needed] The 2010 shows were recorded for the group's live albums project Recording the Universe.[citation needed] They also played two shows on June 4 and 6, 2023 as part of the Memento Mori tour.
The arena has played host to music festivals, including Projekt Revolution.
The naming rights to the stadium are currently[when?] held by gambling company Gauselmann.[5]
From July 2009 to August 2018, the clothing manufacturer Esprit held the naming rights.[6] Prior to July 2009, the German airline LTU held the naming rights.
Düsseldorf's mayor Dirk Elbers stated that, due to treaty obligations, the arena would lose its sponsor name and be renamed Düsseldorf Arena for the period of the Eurovision Song Contest 2011 which was held there in May 2011.[7]
