Merkur Spiel-Arena (stylized in all caps), previously known as the Esprit Arena (until 2 August 2018), the LTU Arena (until June 2009), and also called the Düsseldorf Arena (during the 2011 Eurovision Song Contest and the UEFA Euro 2024), is a retractable roof football stadium in Düsseldorf, Germany. The arena currently hosts association football team Fortuna Düsseldorf.
History
Construction of the stadium began in 2002 and was completed in 2004. 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 holds 54,600.
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 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. On 26 March 2008, Portugal played their second international friendly at the stadium, suffering a 2–1 defeat to Greece.
In September 2022, the venue hosted a friendly between the United States and Japan.
UEFA Euro 2024 The stadium was one of the venues for the UEFA Euro 2024. However, due to sponsorship contracts, the arena was called "Düsseldorf Arena" during the tournament.
The following matches were played at the stadium: DateTime (CEST)Team #1ResultTeam #2RoundSpectators17 June 202446,42521 June 202443,91024 June 202446,5861 July 202446,8106 July 2024 46,907
Other sports events The stadium was the former home of the Rhein Fire of NFL Europe, an American football league. They were tenants for their final three seasons from 2005 to 2007. The stadium hosted World Bowl XIII and XIV. Esprit Arena hosted the Race of Champions 2010, with notable drivers such as Michael Schumacher, Sebastian Vettel, Alain Prost and Sébastien Loeb.
The Esprit Arena was the host venue for boxing world heavyweight championship bouts: between Wladimir Klitschko and Eddie Chambers on 20 March 2010 (Klitschko won the bout by KO in the 12th round), Wladimir Klitschko against Jean-Marc Mormeck on 3 March 2012 (Klitschko won by KO in the 4th round), Wladimir Klitschko against Tyson Fury on 28 November 2015 (see Wladimir Klitschko vs. Tyson Fury (Fury won by a unanimous points decision).
In 2021, the stadium hosted the Championship Game auf the inaugural season of the European League of Football.
On January 10, 2024, the arena set a world record for hosting the biggest audience of a handball game with 53,586 spectators watching the game between Germany vs. Switzerland at the European Men's Handball Championship.
Music events
+List of concerts at Merkur Spiel-Arena, showing date, artist, event and attendanceDateArtistEventAttendance7 January 2005Herbert GrönemeyerMensch-Tour—8 January 200510 September 2005Die Toten HosenFriss Oder Stirb Tour—12 November 2005Phil CollinsThe First Final Farewell Tour—13 November 20052 December 2005Marius Müller-Westernhagen——20 January 2006Depeche ModeTouring the Angel—21 January 200613 May 2006Bon JoviHave a Nice Day Tour47,86220 August 2006MadonnaConfessions Tour44,74426 June 2007GenesisTurn It On Again: The Tour88,39727 June 200712 August 2007The Rolling StonesA Bigger Bang Tour—16 June 2008Bruce SpringsteenE Street BandMagic Tour33,19628 June 2008Projekt Revolution—4 September 2008MadonnaSticky & Sweet Tour35,01431 December 2008Sensation—27 August 2009ColdplayViva la Vida Tour41,85926 February 2010Depeche ModeTour of the Universe—27 February 201010 May 2011Eurovision Song Contest 2011, 1st Semi-final, 2nd Semi-final, Grand Final—12 May 201114 May 20118 June 2011Herbert GrönemeyerSchiffsverkehr Tour—18 June 2011Roger WatersThe Wall Live35,00028 June 2011Black Eyed PeasThe Beginning Tour—13 July 2011Bon JoviBon Jovi Live 201143,62525 July 2011Take ThatProgress Live—3 July 2013Depeche ModeThe Delta Machine Tour87,3085 July 20136 September 2013Roger WatersThe Wall Live33,72711 October 2013Die Toten HosenKrach der Republik Tour—12 October 20137 June 2014Udo Lindenberg——8 June 201419 June 2014 The Rolling Stones14 On Fire44,2242 July 2014One DirectionWhere We Are Tour44,6845 September 2015Rock im Sektor Festival—26 May 2016Paul McCartneyOne on One—15 June 2016AC/DCRock or Bust World Tour—12 July 2016BeyoncéThe Formation World Tour34,48128 June 2017Robbie WilliamsThe Heavy Entertainment Show Tour—9 October 2017 The Rolling StonesNo Filter Tour43,29512 October 2018Die Toten HosenLaune der Natour—13 October 201818 June 2022RammsteinRammstein Stadium Tour90,77219 June 202224 June 2022 Die Toten Hosen40th Anniversary Tour86,53125 June 2022 17 July 2022Lady GagaThe Chromatica Ball45,7224 June 2023Depeche ModeMemento Mori World Tour86,2086 June 202321 June 2023Bruce SpringsteenE Street Band2023 Tour—27 June 2023Harry Styles Love On Tour84,58028 June 20234 July 2023The WeekndAfter Hours til Dawn Tour46,93220 July 2024ColdplayMusic of the Spheres World Tour145,40221 July 202423 July 202418 June 2025Guns N' RosesBecause What You Want & What You Get Are Two Completely Different Things Tourrowspan="3"1 July 2025Linkin ParkFrom Zero World Tour8 July 2025AC/DCPower Up Tour5 September 2025Ed Sheeran+–=÷× Tour190,718 / 190,7186 September 20257 September 20255 June 2026Robbie WilliamsBritpop Tourrowspan="4"6 June 202620 June 2026Bad BunnyDebí Tirar Más Fotos World Tour21 June 202625 September - 7 October 2026Backstreet BoysBackstreet Boys: Into The Millennium Homecoming: Live In Germany17 July 2027Karol GViajando Por El Mundo Tropitour
Naming rights The naming rights to the stadium are currently held by gambling company Gauselmann.
From July 2009 to August 2018, the clothing manufacturer Esprit held the naming rights. 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.
The stadium's title sponsor since 2018 is the Merkur Group, a gambling company.
Public transport
is a terminus station of the Düsseldorf urban rail line 78, part of the Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Ruhr (VRR).
References
External links