“Merkur Spiel-Arena” ( German: Merkur Spiel-Arena , until June 2009 - “LTU Arena” , until August 2, 2018 - Esprit Arena ) - a multifunctional stadium in Dusseldorf , Germany , the home arena of the football club “ Fortuna ” . Construction began in 2002 off the coast of the Rhine on the site of the old Reinstadion and was completed in 2004. The first match at the stadium was held on September 10, 2004, “Fortune” beat the Berlin “Union” (2: 0). The cost of construction amounted to 218 million euros. It bears the name of the clothing manufacturer Esprit (one of the headquarters of this holding is located in Ratingen , 12 km from Dusseldorf).
| "Mercur Spire Arena" | |
|---|---|
 | |
| original name | Merkur Spiel-Arena |
| Former names | LTU Arena (2004-2009) Dusseldorf Arena (during Eurovision 2011) |
| Location |  Dusseldorf |
| Pledged | 2002 |
| Built | 2002-2004 |
| Open | September 10, 2004 |
| Construction cost | € 218 million |
| Architect | |
| Owner | Dusseldorf city |
| Capacity | 54 600 people (9917 standing places) 66,500 (concerts) |
| Home team | Fortune |
| Site | |
The stadium initially accommodated 51,500 spectators, but in the summer of 2010, some seating was replaced by standing ones and now the capacity for football matches is 54,600 seats (of which about 10,000 are standing). At international matches, the capacity is 51,500 seats. At concerts, the stadium can accommodate up to 66,500 spectators. The stadium has a canopy over the stands and a sliding roof over the playing field. A special field heating system allows you to carry out various events in the midst of winter.
The stadium did not accept matches of the 2006 World Cup in Germany, but some international matches of the national teams took place in the arena. The German national team here hosted Argentina (2005), Switzerland (2007), Norway (2009), Belgium (2011), Argentina (2014). In March 2018, a friendly match between the national teams of Germany and Spain is planned at the stadium. Also at the stadium, two friendly matches were played by the Portuguese national team: against Saudi Arabia (2006) and Greece (2008).
Until 2007, the Rhein American football team from the NFL Europe League also hosted their home matches at the stadium before the team and league were disbanded.
From January 2009 to the end of the 2008/09 season, Leverkusen Bayer 04 played their home matches in connection with the reconstruction of their own arena.
In November 2010 and December 2011, the Champions Race was held at the stadium, in which such auto and motor sports stars as Michael Schumacher , Sebastien Loeb , Sebastian Vettel , Alain Prost , Jenson Button , David Coulthard , Mick Duen and others participated.
The stadium regularly hosts concerts by world famous performers. The first concert was a performance by German singer Herbert Grönemayer in January 2005. The Rolling Stones performed twice in the arena in 2007 and 2014. Depeche Mode performed at the stadium six times. On May 28, 2016, Paul McCartney performed here as part of his One On One tour. In the summer of 2016, AC / DC and Beyoncé performed at the stadium.
Significant Events
- Esprit Arena hosted the 56th Eurovision Song Contest 2011 .
- On November 28, 2015, a heavyweight championship fight was held for the IBF , IBO , WBO , WBA super and The Ring titles between Wladimir Klitschko and Tyson Fury .