World Cup Schedule:
Gelsenkirchen hosts four 1st round games and a quarter-final match in the Arena Auf
Schalke - the home of Schalke 04.
Another stadium to fall victim to sponsor re-naming is the Arena Auf
Schalke; now the Veltins Arena. FIFA won't be
calling it that but the sponsors name will still get a lot of eyeballs, sadly.
Arena
Auf Schalke is one of the most modern stadiums around, with a retractable roof and
moveable South Stand (for the pitch to be slid outside). It has a seating capacity of
53,334 for international matches which increases to 61,027 for domestic games; when 16,214
standing places are made available, by removing some of the seats.
There's also an interesting video cube that hangs from the roof to
give all spectators a view of the camera angle. Schalke fans can even get married in the
arena's very own chapel; closed on matchdays so that neither team can pray for a win.
The easiest way to get to the arena by car is to make sure you get on
the A2. The 'Gelsenkirchen-Buer' exit is right at the ground, so just follow signs to the
car parks on Adenauerallee and Willy-Brandt-Allee.
Users of public transport should take tram 302 from the lower level of
Gelsenkirchen railway station (Hauptbahnhof), in the direction of Gelsenkirchen-Buer, and
get off at the 'Arena AufSchalke' stop.
Gelsenkirchen
by Car: (Car Hire)
To orientate yourself, Gelsenkirchen's main railway station and centre are in the south of
this map, Arena Auf Schalke in the middle (the green area near exit numbered 6 on the A2)
and Buer is slightly to the north.
Gelsenkirchen
Transportation Map:
A high quality PDF file showing transportation routes, street names and attractions. One
of the best maps we've seen.
Local
Maps:
More high-quality maps for places around Gelsenkirchen for those who can't find a hotel in
the city itself. or prefer to base them selves somewhere else.
Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Ruhr:
Comprehensive range of public transport services in the North Rhine Westphalia region.
Distances From Gelsenkirchen (By Train)
Most journeys to Gelsenkirchen go via Essen or Frankfurt.
Gelsenkirchen is a very old city with Buer its oldest section;
first mentioned in historical documents in 1003.
AufSchalke
2006:
Even though the stadium takes on a new sponsor's name everyone will keep Auf Schalke in
their minds.
FIFA Fan Fest:
During the World Cup, Gelsenkirchen will be breathing new life into the
Glückauf-Kampfbahn, the ground where various youth teams and the Schalke reserves
currently train and fight for league points.
From June 8th, fans from all over the world will converge on the Glückauf-Kampfbahn,
where every World Cup game will be shown live on a sixty square metre video-wall.
The
Ruhrgebiet:
The basis for the Ruhr industrial area was created 350 million years ago. With the
formation of bituminous coal deposits in the area bounded by the Ruhr, Rhine and Lippe
rivers, the region was predestined to become the unique conurbation it is today.
Gelsenkirchen Attractions:
It's not all about football in Gelsenkirchen.
Gelsenkirchen
Tourist Information:
Gelsenkirchen offers a number of special trails that give you an opportunity to leave the
attractions on the main regional routes for a while and explore the local sights.
Historical
Buildings in Gelsenkirchen:
Historical buildings of note are the Schloss Berge (Berge Castle); Lüttinghoff House;
Schloss Horst (Horst Castle); and Bleckkirche, in Bismarck.
