The Weserstadion
Key facts
Club: SV Werder Bremen | Opening: 1909 | Capacity: 42,500 (10,000 standing)
History and description
The Weserstadion was built in 1909 as a general sports field. It had one wooden stand and was only sporadically used for football matches.
The first big stand was built in 1926, and in 1930 Werder Bremen moved in to play their home matches at the ground.
In 1935, the Weserstadion was taken over by the city of Bremen and was in the following years primarily used for political purposes of the ruling NSDAP Nazi Party. During the Second World War, anti-aircraft guns were stationed at the stadium.
The Weserstadion underwent various developments in the mid-1960s, which included cover for the North Stand and an extra tier for both curves. The main stand (South Stand) received a new roof in 1973, and the opposite North Stand got completely rebuilt in 1978.
Building works continued in the late 1980s, when first the western curve and than the South Stand got rebuilt in the style of the North Stand. Both stands were ready in 1992, and a few years later the reconstruction of the eastern curve completed the stadium.
The Weserstadion applied to be a playing venue during the 2006 World Cup, however saw its application rejected.
In 2008, Werder started a new round of redevelopment works in order to modernise the stadium. The pitch was dug out and the stands got extended closer to the field, both curves got rebuilt in a rectangular shape, corporate facilities were improved, and a new roof covered with solar panels was installed. Works were completed in the summer of 2011.
The club had initially planned to add a third tier to the stadium, but this was abandoned due to rising costs
Getting there
The Weserstadion stands on the banks of the river Weser in a residential area surrounded by parks and other sports facilities. It is located about 2 kilometres east from Bremen’s historic city centre and about 2.5 kilometres from the main railway station.
The walk from the old city centre should take less than half an hour. Follow the banks of the river in eastern direction. The walk from the railway station will take slightly more.
Alternatively, one can also reach the stadium by tram (Straßenbahn). Take tram 3 toward Weserwehr from the Domsheide in the city centre and get off after about 7 minutes at stop Weserstadion.
From the main railway station one can take tram 10. Take the tram in the direction of the Sebaldsbrück and get off at stop St-Jürgen-Straße (10-minute journey). It is a 10-minute walk to the stadium from there, or change to tram 3 to get one stop closer.
If arriving by car from the A1, take exit 55 and follow the signs for Bremen-Centrum. After almost 3 kilometres turn left onto the Föhrenstraße, and then right onto the Osterdeich. Continue until, after about 2.5 kilometres, you see the stadium on your left hand side.
On matchdays the area around the stadium is closed for cars. The club offers various shuttle services from designated parking areas. Signs are posted from the access roads.
There is also a shuttle service by boat that runs from various points along the river Weser.
Address: Franz-Böhmert-Straße 1c, 28205 Bremen
Photos
the fan-stands
construction works in 2009
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