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The 43,500 capacity stadium dates back to 1920 and was originally known as the Betzenberg Stadion.
It was renamed in 1985, commemorating the legendary German 1954 World Cup-winning captain, and Kaiserslautern stalwart, Fritz Walter.
Although it has undergone plenty of modernisation over the years (around £30 million to be precise), the stadium still has a very traditional design with sturdy, angular features.
Reconstruction work for the World Cup ended in November 2005 with extensive reconstruction of the South and West stands.
The venue will host four group games this summer (see below), as well as one second round match.
Kaiserslautern match schedule:
Mon 12 June Australia v Japan
Sat 17 June Italy v USA
Tues 20 June Paraguay v Trinidad & Tobago
Fri 23 June Saudi Arabia v Spain
Inside, fans are situated in close proximity to the pitch and, while the facilities may not be of the standard to some of the other venues on offer, the views from the seats are very good.
That said, all the necessary amenities (including ramps and disabled toilet facilities), can be found, and there is an abundance of refreshment outlets.
Bundesliga outfit FC Kaiserslautern play their home games at the arena and while the stadium is rarely full, the close, compact setting tends to generate an excellent atmosphere.
The stadium’s last major international date came back in June 2004 when it hosted an international friendly between Germany and Hungary.
The capacity for the World Cup finals will be somewhat reduced to 39,297, although this figure is subject to change nearer the tournament, but the construction of the stadium ensures the atmosphere will not be too dampened by a lower capacity.
Hannover will play host to five matches this summer, four group games and a last-16 encounter.
Hannover match schedule
June 12: Group E — Italy v Ghana
June 16: Group D - Mexico v Angola
June 20: Group A — Costa Rica v Poland
June 23: Group G - Switzerland v South Korea
June 27: Winner Group H v Runner-up Group G
Hannover are determined to show their city in the best possible light this summer and is one of the reasons why the region pushed the boat out to produce a stadium redevelopment of the highest order.
The work was part funded by the city of Hannover, state of Lower Saxony and region of Hannover, with a bank consortium contributing a sizeable amount.
The Niedersachsenstadion was completed in 1954 and has been home to Hannover 96 since 1959. It was used for the 1974 World Cup, with Brazil and Holland both playing matches in the city, and the 1988 European Championship.
Fifa’s decision to award Germany the 2006 finals prompted the cities to overhaul their stadia and Hannover, capital city of the state of Lower Saxony, opted for a purpose-built arena.
The arena features a free-standing, 2,500-tonne roof supporting structure and the architects, aware of problems of turf erosion due to a lack of light (just ask Chelsea!) opted for an ultra-violet permeable foil on the overhanging sections of roof, ensuring the pitch receives the light it needs to remain in perfect condition.
A wet summer would hold no terrors to the AWD Arena, as the pitch withstood a deluge of rain for the visit of local rivals Hamburg in February.
The impressive PA system whips up the crowd into a frenzy, while the giant video screens at either end keep spectators informed of developments elsewhere.
The stadium is within walking distance of the city centre and central station, as a 20-minute stroll along the ‘World Cup Mile’ will allow spectators to soak up the sights en-route to the action.
Those less inclined to stretch their legs can jump on a tram, line 3, 7 or 0 towards Wettbergen, Wallensteinstrasse or Empelde to Waterloo, and from there it is a five-minute walk.
Fans making the trip to Hannover who do not have tickets will not be disappointed, as officials are planning to keep visitors occupied with a number of events throughout the month. The highlight for many will be the FAN FEST at Waterlooplatz. A giant screen will be erected in front of Waterloo Column and will have space for 20,000 spectators. All matches will be screened live, while FAN FEST will also provide catering facilities for the many supporters expected to descend on Hannover in June.
Just across the road from the stadium is Hannover Sports Park. It is widely regarded as one of the city’s outstanding features, with the combined advantage of bordering on the city centre while at the same time being part of a large recreational area around Maschsee Lake. The Sports Park also contains an indoor stadium, hard courts and a stadium swimming pool. Maschsee Lake is a training site for rowing, canoeing and sailing clubs.
The stands were completely rebuilt on the site of the famous old ground in the western suburbs of Hamburg, while the pitch was spun round 90 degrees.
The new ground creates an outstanding, intimate atmosphere with one end open for standing supporters, while seated fans get a close-up view of the action.
Refreshments are generous and cheap by British standards, with numerous stalls dispensing not only the ubiquitous sausages and lager, but tasty sandwiches and rolls as well. They’ll only set you back €3.
It is expected to accommodate in excess of 50,000 fans for four group matches and a quarter final match.
Hamburg match schedule:
June 10: Group C - Argentina v Ivory Coast
June 15: Group A - Costa Rica v Ecuador
June 19: Group H - Saudi Arabia v Ukraine
June 22: Group E - Czech Republic v Italy
June 30: Winner Group D v Runner-up Group C
From the Hauptbahnhof, the main station in the centre of town, take the S-Bahn (S21 or S3) to Elbgaustrasse; from there, it’s a two-minute walk.
Alternatively, get off at Stellingen and take one of the regular shuttle buses to the stadium.
In 1998 work began on the construction of a new multi-purpose arena to replace the dilapidated Park Stadium and construction was completed in under three years at a cost of €191 million.
Holding over 48,000 fans, with a pitch that can be slid outside the stadium, a retractable roof, a movable South Stand and a videocube scoreboard, the Arena is something the locals can be proud of.
Gelsenkirchen match schedule:
June 9: Group A - Poland v Ecuador
June 12: Group E - USA v Czech Republic
June 16: Group C - Argentina v Serbia & Montenegro
June 21: Group D - Portugal v Mexico
July 1: Quarter Final - 1B/2A v 1D/2C
The Arena is in the north of the city between the suburbs of Erle, Buer and Schalke and can be easily reached for free by tram 302 from Gelsenkirchen railway station.
If it’s wet outside, then you’ll be okay inside as the two adjustable wings of the roof can be opened or closed within only 30 minutes.
The cube is a technical wonder, hanging 26m above the pitch and weighing approximately 29 tonnes. The four large screen displays ensure that each visitor in the arena can see television replays.
With over 14,000 parking spaces, 367 TV monitors and 32 food and drink outlets, the Veltins Arena has already established itself as one of Europe’s leading stadia, hosting the 2004 UEFA Champions League final, American Football’s World Bowl and a concert by Robbie Williams amongst others.
It is not a new stadium but a third reconstruction of the old Waldstadion, which was originally built in 1925 for a workers’ Olympics tournament.
The first re-fit in 1955 took the capacity to 87,000 and the stadium was redesigned again ahead of the 1974 World Cup.
Frankfurt match schedule:
June 10: Group B - England v Paraguay
June 14: Group G - South Korea v Togo
June 17: Group D - Portugal v Iran
June 21: Group C - Netherlands v Argentina
July 1: Quarter final
The latest redevelopment got under way in 2002 with the rebuilding of the East and West Ends, before the two main stands were replaced to form a complete bowl, with no disruption to Eintracht Frankfurt’s Bundesliga schedule along the way.
The new capacity is just over 48,000, although that has been significantly reduced to 43,324 for the World Cup by the removal of the standing areas and the introduction of extra media seating.
The results are impressive, not just in the sponsors’ lounges with their minimalist design in chrome, leather and wood, but in the facilities for the ordinary supporters too.
The stands were factory-built in segments which bolt together, with the seats designed to slot into place, meaning the standing areas behind the two goals can be transformed to provide extra seating in less than a day’s work.
The stadium is approached either from the ‘Stadion’ S-Bahn station (take line S8 or S9 from the city centre) which is a 10-minute walk from the Osttribune (East Stand), or from the No.21 tram stop at the opposite side. Be prepared for a scramble on your way back to the city after the game.
The bottom tier of seating is surrounded by a subterranean car-park with spaces for 1,800 cars, catering for the sponsors and their guests, who have 1,800 dedicated seats in the Haupttribune.
The Haupttribune also boasts a terrace between the two tiers, where sponsors can take drinks during play without the need to take their seats.
Outside on the concourse on the other three sides of the ground, there are numerous refreshment facilities, although the "Pay Clever" smartcard system which helps to keep queues to a minimum will not be in operation.
Most importantly, the view of the action is superb. On the upper tier, the rake of the stand is steep, so you will not miss anything even if Peter Crouch has the seat in front of you.
On the lower level, this may be more of a concern, but there are no pillars or walls supporting the stadium structure, while the innovative roof is held firmly in place by steel cables which in turn hold up the videocube, a 35-tonne, four-screen box which hangs above the centre circle and affords everyone a clear view.
The stadium benefits greatly from no longer having a running track, which means that you are never too far away from the action, while the atmosphere is outstanding.
England will play their opening game here when they take on Paraguay on Saturday June 10, with the other major attraction being the mouth-watering prospect of the Netherlands v Argentina.
Borussia Dortmund fans regularly pack out the ground known as the Bundesliga’s Opera House, and in the 2004-05 season an average of 77,000 visited at every game, a Bundesliga and European record.
The famous South Stand houses a huge terrace area which Borussia fans pack into for Bundesliga games creating a cacophony of noise inside the ground for visiting fans to face.
Seats can be placed on the terraces for international matches and the capacity for the World Cup will be down to around 66,000 from their 82,000 league maximum.
Sweden kick off their World Cup finals campaign against Trinidad & Tobago in Dortmund, while hosts Germany will visit for their second Group A match against Poland.
Two other group games, including Brazil v Japan, will play in Dortmund, which will also host a last 16 game along with a semi-final.
Dortmund match schedule:
June 10: Group B - Trinidad & Tobago v Sweden
June 14: Group A - Germany v Poland
June 19: Group G - Togo v Switzerland
June 22: Group F - Japan v Brazil
June 27: Winner Group F v Runner-up Group E
July 4: Semi-final
Dortmund started their life at Weisse Wiese, which is now an open air swimming pool right next to the ground. They then moved the short distance to the Stadion Rote Erde in 1937 - and this is now a running track which is situated right outside the new ground and is used for athletics meetings.
The Westfalenstadion was built in 1974 in time for Germany hosting the World Cup with an initial capacity of 54,000.
Several improvements have been made to the new Signal Iduna Park over the years, with the four stands joined up in the corners in 2001 to increase capacity to 67,000.
Dortmund’s ground is one of the most recognisable in Europe due to the eight huge bright yellow pylons that support the roof - ensuring that there are no obstructed views inside the stadium.
The 62-metre high pylons will easily guide visiting fans towards the ground for World Cup matches, where they will sit in comfort after the seats were upgraded in another modernisation stage.
Dortmund proved more than capable of hosting a game on the big stage when it provided a great accommodation for the 2001 Uefa Cup final, won in a thrilling contest by Liverpool against Alaves.
There will be more big games in the summer, and fans will be well catered for with the outdoor Fan Fest situated near the stadium to entertain them.
Dortmund will differ in their huge indoor Fan Hall inside the massive structure of the Westfalenhallen - an exhibition centre just across the road from the stadium.
Those without tickets can eat, drink and watch the matches inside the Westfalenhallen, which will also double as an indoor campsite for those to rest their weary heads after the long days and nights celebrating the World Cup.
Fans can reach the ground easily from the city centre via the light railway system which has a stop just outside the ground on routes U45 and U46.
Westfalenhalle station, which is being upgraded for the tournament, is on the main line from other cities in the region, and this is also ideally situated just minutes from the stadium.
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