Key facts
| Address | Fritz-Walter Straße 11, 67653 Kaiserslautern |
| Capacity | 48,500 seats |
| Build Date | 1926 |
Description
Fritz Walter Stadion is a stadium situated in Kaiserslautern, Germany. It is mainly shared by 1. FC Kaiserslautern as well as the 2. Bundesliga football club. In 2006, the ground hosted the FIFA World Cup.
The name of the stadium was inspired by Fritz Walter, a local hero, who was a player of the Kaiserslautern club and a captain of the national football team of Germany that won the FIFA World Cup in 1954. The stadium’s nickname is “Betze,” because it was constructed on the Betzenberg hill in 1920.
The total capacity of Fritz Walter Stadion is 48,500 people. It was significantly renovated for the 2006 World Cup. The work began in 2002 and lasted for three years. 18,000 standing places were demolished so that more seats could be added. All in all, the capacity of the stadium became 10,000 seats more. There also were added a floodlight system as well as a media center. The redevelopment was fully completed in 2005. The total costs of the renovation reached 76.5 million euro.
The highest attendance at the stadium was 50,754 people. It was recorded in 2006 during the match between FC Bayern Munich and 1. FC Kaiserslautern.
How to get to
There is a railway station close to the stadium. It was built for the World Cup events.
FAQ
Fritz-Walter-Stadion was originally opened in 1920. However, it has undergone several renovations and expansions over the years, with major redevelopments taking place in the 1950s and again in the early 2000s for the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
The stadium is named after Fritz Walter, a legendary German footballer who spent his entire club career with 1. FC Kaiserslautern. Walter was the captain of the West German national team that won the 1954 FIFA World Cup, often referred to as the “Miracle of Bern.” The stadium was renamed in his honor in 1985.
The stadium’s current capacity is approximately 49,850 for Bundesliga matches. This includes both seated and standing areas. For international matches, where only seating is permitted, the capacity is reduced to around 46,000.
One of the most notable features of Fritz-Walter-Stadion is its location. It sits atop the Betzenberg hill, which gives it its nickname “Betze.” This elevated position provides a unique atmosphere and has contributed to its reputation as one of the most atmospheric stadiums in German football.
Yes, Fritz-Walter-Stadion was one of the venues for the 2006 FIFA World Cup held in Germany. It hosted four group stage matches and one Round of 16 match during the tournament. This global event led to significant renovations and improvements to the stadium in the years leading up to 2006.
The primary tenant of Fritz-Walter-Stadion is 1. FC Kaiserslautern, a club with a rich history in German football. The club has won the German championship four times and the DFB-Pokal (German Cup) twice. The stadium has been the home of 1. FC Kaiserslautern since its opening in 1920.
