Max-Morlock-Stadion
The Frankenstadion was inaugurated in 1928 in Nuremberg as home stadium to the Bundesliga club 1. FC Nürnberg. It is located next to the Zeppelinfeld. In 1991 it recived its current name, before that it was known simply as the, Urban Stadium. It also neighbors the new Arena Nuernberg. The Stadium is planned to host five games of the
. During the World-Cup Finals the stadium will be knows as "FIFA World Cup Stadium Nuernberg": On March 14 2006, the stadium was renamed for a period of five years in "easyCredit-Stadion", after a financing product of the German bank Norisbank AG.
Facilities
The available facilities at the stadium include two changing rooms for players, changing rooms for coaches, referees. Also physician and treatment rooms are available. A 300 square meter press area, an area for press conferences, and three TV studios make the Frankenstadion a truly modern stadium. 1200 square meters makes up the VIP area with place for 800 guests. To compensate for the large amount of seats there are 15,000 parking spaces with 205 for VIPs. The stadium also has track and field facilities that follow international regulation. A full sprinkler system, that feeds the grass with rain water. The pitch is also heated, and lit with a floodlight system. There are two 60 square meter video walls that provide video to the fans. There is also a full power back up system, powered by diesel generators.
History
Beginning in 1933 the National Socialists began to use the stadium as a marching area for the Hitler Youth. Following 1963 the Stadium was reconditioned multiple times so that it could meet the requirements for the soccer Federal League.
Renovations
The Frankenstadion has been renovated two times, once in 1988 to 1991, and then again renovation began again in 2002 to be ready in time for the 2006 World Cup. The 2002 renovation cost €56.2 million; the cost is split between the city of Nürnberg, The State of Bavaria and the building society which is to manage the stadium. The Stadium has had its capacity increased to 48,000. This is achieved by extending the southwest and northwest grandstand. The playing field was lowered by 1.30 meters in order to provide all seats an unrestricted view of the field. The Max Morlock place was developed as a place for fans to meet and enjoy something to eat; the total area of this place is 1,000 meters.
Getting there
The Frankenstadion is serviced by several lines of the metro. On the U-Bahn take line U1, on the S-Bahn take line S2 To get there by bus simply take the 65 line.