Stadium expansion of the 1st FC Köln: 75,000 places within reach!

Stadium expansion of the 1st FC Köln: 75,000 places within reach!

In the heart of Cologne, fresh wind blows for 1st FC Köln and his ambitious stadium project. The association is planning a comprehensive expansion of the Rhine Energy Stadium to increase the capacity of currently 50,000 to 75,000 places. This decision was influenced by the high demand for tickets, the numerous membership inquiries and the long waiting lists for season tickets. The Lievertinkoeln.com reports that the then President Werner Spinner laid the foundation for these plans in 2017 and formulated additional income of up to 15 million euros per year as a goal.

The vision is currently being pursued by the club management under Philipp Türoff and Werner Wolf, even if there are currently no concrete plans. It is emphasized that the expansion remains a strategic goal. In a short point of view, however, expansion is unrealistic. There are no necessary permits, a stable sporting perspective and the financial feasibility, as in the article of [Cologne Abendblatt] (https://www.koelner-evening leaf.de/artikel/1-liga/1-fc-koeln/rhein-energie-stadion-ferty-planung-enthuellt-revolutionaeren-ausbau-laße 75-000-plaetze-8835467.html) is executed.

Four construction stages for implementation

The planned expansion is to be carried out in four levels, with each stage targeting the capacity increase and modernization of the stadium. In the first stage, the west grandstand is increased by a rank, which results in 5,500 additional places and an enlargement of the hospitality area by 2,000 square meters. The east grandstand will also follow: 5,500 new places are also planned here. It continues with the south grandstand, which will receive around 20,000 new standing room and is to be increased by a rank. The end is the north grandstand, the expansion of which also expands the hospitality area, such as [Cologne Abendblatt] (https://www.koelner-evening leaf.de/artikel/1-liga/1-fc-koeln/rhein-energie-stadion-ferty-planung-enthuellt-revolutionaeren-ausbau-laße 75-000-plaetze-8835467.html) reported.

The total cost of the planned renovation amounts to around 150 million euros, with the city of Cologne covering a significant part of these costs. This support ensures great enthusiasm among fans who look forward to the project.

legal and practical challenges

Despite all anticipation, there are numerous legal and practical questions that can be clarified in such a project. Aspects such as transport connections, noise protection and monument protection must be adequately taken into account. The listed Abel buildings within the stadium are a special challenge. Alternative locations such as Marsdorf have also been examined in the past, but a move understandably encounters resistance in the fan base.

In the long term, 1st FC Köln remains loyal to the Müngersdorf location, with the aim of optimizing the stadium infrastructure and at the same time increasing the capacity. It is clear that the club will need sporting success in order to find acceptance for such large conversions in the city and the population. For the fans of 1. FC Köln, hope for a larger stadium remains a valuable goal.