Editor:
Presscouncil City of Chemnitz
Pressrelease: 251

Kick-off - Open Stadium Gates Day: 18 June, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Opening of the new stadium on Gellertstraße with stadium tours, team presentation, hands-on activities and a match between Chemnitz clubs and the CFC

Pd0 251 Cfc-stadion
Picture: CFC-Vorstandsvorsitzender Dr. Mathias Hänel, Oberbürgermeisterin Barbara Ludwig, Innenverteidiger Marc Endres und Cheftrainer Sven Köhler (von links) (Foto: Kristin Schmidt)

"I'm looking forward to handing over the stadium on Gellertstraße to the people of Chemnitz on 18 June," said Lord Mayor Barbara Ludwig at today's press conference in the run-up to the "Kick-off - Open Stadium Gates Day". "I hope that many people will take advantage of this unique opportunity to explore the stadium in all its otherwise closed rooms. That won't be possible in this form again so soon."

The arena, which seats around 15,000 people, will be completely open to the public on this day. "It was a logistical tour de force to rebuild the stadium while matches were still being played," said the Lord Mayor. "But in this way, spectators were able to regularly see the progress of the construction work like in no other project - and the club was able to stay in its venue."

Dr Mathias Hänel, the club's CEO: "The CFC is delighted that the stadium construction has finally reached the home straight. Chemnitz is getting a wonderful English-style football stadium that we can all be proud of. We hope that as many Chemnitz residents as possible will take advantage of the opportunity to get to know not only the stadium, but also the CFC in all its breadth and diversity on Open Stadium Day."

The stadium opening promises to be a real experience - and not just for football fans. On Saturday 18 June, the stadium on Gellertstraße will be open to the public from 11 am to 6 pm. Radio Chemnitz will be broadcasting live from the stadium throughout the day.

Stadium up close
After the opening ceremony at 11 a.m., the following applies on this day: You can really take a look behind the scenes of the stadium. Take an exclusive look inside the home stadium: This wish will become reality on "Open Stadium Gates Day". Because the sacred rooms, which otherwise only a few CFC employees are allowed to enter, are open to all visitors. Photos on the coaches' benches - no problem. Entering the stadium through the players' tunnel - goosebumps. Analysing the game in the press conference room - possible on this day. Where do VIPs watch the 90 minutes in the stadium, where will your family celebrations or company anniversaries take place in future - the new VIP areas are shown. How the players spend the long bus journeys - you can find out, because the team bus is ready and waiting. And there are special views: see the stadium from above - the fire brigade makes it possible. The turntable ladder takes the brave up to the top. A unique view of a unique backdrop.

www.chemnitz.de/stadion

FACTS AND FIGURES

Construction time
09 November 2011:
Chemnitz City Council confirms the basic decision to rebuild

14 November 2012:
City confirmed as developer for new stadium on Gellertstraße

16 September 2013:
City awarded contract to general contractor bidding consortium BAM Sports GmbH Düsseldorf and BAM Deutschland AG Stuttgart

10 October 2013:
General contractor and stadium architect present stadium designs

23 January 2014:
Symbolic ground-breaking ceremony at the stadium on Gellertstraße

7 October 2015:
Topping-out ceremony for the stadium on Gellertstraße

18 June 2016:
Opening of the stadium "Kick-off - Day of the open stadium gates"

Seating capacity:
15,479 seats, including 1,412 seats in the north stand, 4094 in the east stand (Gegengerade), 2,469 in the west stand (Haupttribüne), 162 box seats, 837 business seats and 120 wheelchair spaces.

Client:
City of Chemnitz

Costs:
26.9 million euros

Subcontractors:
General contractor BAM Sports commissioned 53 subcontractors with partial services.
The majority of the contracts went to companies in the region: 34 companies come from the Chemnitz area and Saxony.