Waldstadion (Frankfurt)

The stadium's history stretches back a century, making it one of the longest-serving major football venues in Germany.

Construction and opening

First opened in 1925 as the Waldstadion — named for the surrounding forest — the ground served as Frankfurt's primary football venue for decades. The original structure went through several rounds of improvement before the decisive transformation that preceded the 2005 and 2006 tournaments.

Major renovations

A comprehensive redevelopment costing 126 million euros was completed ahead of the 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup and 2006 FIFA World Cup. The rebuild converted the old athletics-format stadium into a dedicated football arena and added a retractable roof — one of very few in the Bundesliga. The architects were the firm Gerkan, Marg and Partners (gmp), known for their work on several other German football stadiums.

Notable moments

The 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup Final between Brazil and Argentina is among the most prestigious matches in the stadium's history. The 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup Final, won by Japan over the USA, took place here. Five matches of UEFA Euro 2024 were hosted, and the 2027 UEFA Europa League Final is assigned to the venue.

Eintracht Frankfurt's supporters have built a reputation as one of the most passionate and mobile fanbases in European football, and Deutsche Bank Park is the engine of that culture.

Fan culture

The Kurve (end stand) is the epicentre of active support — flags, drums, and continuous chanting from kick-off to the final whistle. Frankfurt's fan culture gained international recognition during the 2018-19 UEFA Europa League run, when tens of thousands of Eintracht supporters travelled to away fixtures across Europe, most memorably filling a large section of Stamford Bridge in the semi-final against Chelsea. The stadium's forest surroundings also give matchday a distinctive character: fans gather in the woods and nearby bars before matches, a tradition that adds a local flavour unique to this venue.

Big matches

Eintracht Frankfurt's 2022 UEFA Europa League triumph — won in a penalty shootout against Rangers in Seville — produced scenes of mass celebration on return to Frankfurt. At home, the stadium has hosted dramatic Europa League and Champions League knockout nights. UEFA Euro 2024 brought a diverse international crowd to the Stadtwald, with the stadium generating an atmosphere far beyond a regular club fixture.

Deutsche Bank Park is straightforward to reach from Frankfurt's city centre, benefiting from the city's role as one of Germany's main transport hubs.

How to get there

• U-Bahn (metro): Line U3, station Stadion — direct from Frankfurt city centre in approximately 20 minutes
• Tram: Line 21 also stops directly at the stadium
• Car: Close to motorways A3 and A5; car parks available but fill quickly on matchdays

Tickets and tours

Match tickets for Eintracht Frankfurt are sold via the club's official website. European fixtures and high-profile Bundesliga matches sell out quickly. Stadium tours are available, covering the retractable roof mechanism, the players' tunnel, and panoramic views over the Stadtwald and the Frankfurt skyline.

Visitor tips

• When to arrive: At least 45 minutes before kick-off; U-Bahn station Stadion is right next to the main entrance
• The surroundings: The Stadtwald offers pleasant woodland walks before or after a match — a rare opportunity at a top-flight German stadium
• Food and drink: Concession stands inside the stadium are well stocked; options in the immediate area outside are limited, so the city centre is better for pre-match dining