Fritz-Walter Stadion (reconstruction) - 48,500 capacity for World Cup 2006. The present capacity has risen slightly to 49,327 spectators. The Fritz-Walter-Stadion features significant standing room, with roughly 16,000 to 16,600+ standing places available, primarily in the famous "Westkurve" (West Stand). It is one of the German stadiums that retains a large terrace section for home supporters, offering a capacity of roughly 49,300 in total, including the standing areas.
The Fritz-Walter Stadion In Kaiserslautern was first completed in 1920. Built on the Betzenberg mountain, the ground takes its name from West Germany's 1954 FIFA World Cup captain, and is home to FC Kaiserslautern of the Bundesliga. The new extension which includes a new floodlight system and media center was completed in 2003 at an estimated cost of 48.3 million Euros.
The club nicknamed 'The Red Devils' (Die Roten Teufel) were founded in 1900 through the merger of Germania 1896 and FG Kaiserslautern, eventually adopting their current name in 1932. FC Kaiserslautern has won four German championships (1951, 1953, 1991, 1998), two DFB-Pokals (1990, 1996), and one DFL-Supercup (1991). They are best known for winning the 1997-98 Bundesliga title as a newly promoted team under manager Otto Rehhagel, a unique achievement in German football history. Rehhagel went on to another miracle, steering Greece to an improbable 2004 Euro win in Portugal.
Some players of note at the club include icon Fritz Walter, who captained Germany to the 1954 World Cup alongside his brother Ottmar Walter (the all-time leading scorer with 336 goals in 321 league and cup matches) and Horst Eckel.
Other legends include World Cup winner Andreas Brehme, no nonsense defender Hans-Peter Briegel, Klaus Toppmöller, who scored over 100 goals for the team, and stars from the 1990s like the skillful Ciriaco Sforza.
Members of the Bundesliga-winning team of 1998 included a young Michael Ballack, Andreas Brehme, top-scorer Olaf Marschall, Swiss midfielder Ciriaco Sforza, Czech defender Miroslav Kadlec, dependable keeper Andreas Reinke and Jürgen Rische.
The arena is generally considered accessible for wheelchair users, featuring step-free access, 100 wheelchair user spaces (mostly below the South stand), and several accessible toilets. While the venue is accessible, the stadium is on a steep hill, necessitating use of P+R shuttles from the city center for easier access, which accommodate passengers.
Tours of the ground offer behind-the-scenes access, including the press room, VIP areas, and the players' tunnel.
Aerial view of the Fritz-Walter StadionThe stadium is the home ground of FC Kaiserslautern. It is a 10-15 minute walk to the ground from the city center.
Train:
A new railway station - Kaiserslautern - was built in time for the World Cup.
Car:
There is a free shuttle bus from the Messeplatz car park.
Map: See a map of Kaiserslautern and Stadium
Map of Kaiserslautern
FC Kaiserslautern