Holstein-Stadion (Holstein Stadium), Kiel

Holstein-Stadion is a stadium in the port city of Kiel in Northern Germany. It is the home of football club Holstein Kiel, who currently play in Germany's 2. Bundesliga. In 2005, the DFB ruled that the old stadium did not meet the body's minimal stadium requirements, claiming the stadium was no longer fit for football and was in desperate need of a substantial makeover. Failure to make the required upgrades would rule the club ineligible to play in the 2. Bundesliga or potentially result in the DFB revoking Holstein Kiel's license entirely. In 2006, the city government and team officials subsequently developed a plan to provide 1.6 million Euros towards the renovation of the stadium. The most significant changes included the removal of the dilapidated concrete steps that formerly encircled the playing field which were in danger of collapsing and unsafe for large capacity crowds. In their place, two new covered grandstands were constructed along the former backstretch and behind the west goal. The "Nordtribüne," measuring 119 meters long, now has 954 seats, surrounded by two blocks that each provide standing room for 1,200 additional fans. The 81 meter long "Westtribüne" replaced the former fan curve and provides standing room for an additional 3,380 spectators. In an attempt to improve sightlines and provide for a better fan experience, both grandstands were constructed only 8 meters from the playing field. Additional upgrades include separated entrances for players, referees and other officials, new kiosks and concession stands, improved restroom facilities, and an on-site police trailer. The new stadium has a crowd capacity of 10,200 and can be expanded to 15,000 should the squad advance into the Bundesliga's First division. The majority of the work was completed just hours before it opened on August 9, 2006 to a 5:0 Holstein Kiel victory over 1. FC Magdeburg. After promotion to the second division in 2017 the stadium was expanded to 15.000. The desired construction finished in spring 2019.

The professional football team (men) of Holstein Kiel was promoted to the 2nd Bundesliga in 2017. Since then, the club and its fans, as well as the German Football League, have wanted to adapt the Holstein Stadium for the Kieler Sportvereinigung Holstein von 1900 eV to match operations in accordance with the regulations of the Bundesliga. The Holstein Stadium was opened under the name “Holstein-Platz” on October 15, 1911 as a sports field with a wooden grandstand for 200 spectators. After several extensions, the stadium had a capacity of around 18,000 spectators in 1943.

When the Holstein Stadium was built in 1911, the costs were kept within limits: 14,500 gold marks. 40 years later, more than 28,000 spectators attended the top league match between Holstein Kiel and Hamburger SV. Costs and audience numbers that those in charge can only dream of today. The current stadium has space for just under 15,000 spectators and the planned complete renovation will probably cost up to 75 million euros . Then the KSV would have a chic, new stadium suitable for the Bundesliga. But the stadium at Westring 501 is still a long way from that and some of the requirements of the German Football League are now apparently impossible to meet - even though the team has been playing there with a special permit since 2017. The DFL has now again criticized the stadium and media infrastructure. ***PH***