World Stadiums: Bruno-Plache-Stadion, Leipzig, Germany
Bruno-Plache-Stadion (known as das Bruno to fans) in Leipzig, eastern Germany is the home stadium of 1. FC Lokomotive Leipzig.
The ground has a capacity of 12,321 for safety reasons.
History
Bruno-Plache-Stadion dates back to 1922. The ground received its current name in 1949. It is so called after the athlete and Communist politician Bruno Plache (1908-1949).
The stadium is located in the Probstheida district in the south of the city not far from the Monument to the Battle of the Nations.
At its opening in 1922, the home stadium of VfB Leipzig had a planned capacity of 40,000 spectators,and was the largest club-owned stadium in Germany. The wooden grandstand, built in 1932 and still in use today, is largely preserved in its original condition. The stadium was first built with a 400-meter running track and staged its first international match in 1932 with Germany playing Switzerland here.
Post-War
After World War II the ground was repaired with the grass embankment replaced by the concrete-edged standing terraces with earth backfill that are still in place today.
At the time VfB Leipzig often played their major fixtures at Zentral Stadion.
1990s
In early 1992, the German Football Association (DFB) barred the Bruno-Plache-Stadion from hosting Second Bundesliga matches because it failed to meet the league's safety standards. As a result, VfB Leipzig, re-established in 1991, played its home games at the Zentral Stadion. The necessary safety upgrades were completed by the 1995-96 season, although they significantly reduced the stadium's capacity. Floodlights were later installed in 1997, further modernizing the venue.
2000s
VfB Leipzig continued to play at the ground until the club declared insolvency in 2004. Although plans were proposed to redevelop the venue into a modern football-specific stadium, the club's financial difficulties prevented the project from moving forward.
Following VfB Leipzig's collapse, the newly established 1. FC Lokomotive Leipzig adopted the stadium as its home in 2004. Despite competing in the 3rd Kreisklasse during the 2004-05 season, the club attracted average crowds of around 3,000 spectators - an unprecedented figure for that level of German football. Interest in the club was further demonstrated in May, 2005, when a friendly match against Hertha BSC drew 13,098 fans, bringing the stadium close to a sell-out.
Capacity
The somewhat delapidated ground presently has a restricted capacity of 12,321 for safety reasons.
1. FC Lokomotive Leipzig
VFB Leipzig won the first national championship in 1903 and again in 1906 and 1913 plus a German Cup (DFB-Pokal) win in 1936, but a hundred years on the club went into liquidation in 2004 with debts of over US$5m.
During the 1970s and 1980s the club competed in the UEFA Cup and Cup Winners' Cup. They reached the final of the latter in 1986-1987 losing to Ajax and the semifinal of the former in 1973-1974.
After one season in the Bundesliga 93/94, the club had been languishing in the Oberliga or fourth division (now Regionalliga Nordost). The club began again as 1. FC Lokomotive Leipzig after being relaunched by its fan base.
1. FC Lokomotive Leipzig, nicknamed 'Loksche' have a fanatical, hard-core fan base who create a memorable atmosphere on match days. However, much of that fan base may hold right and far-right views.
FC Lok club colors are yellow and blue.
Access - Getting To Bruno-Plache-Stadion
Bruno-Plache-Stadion is situated in the Probstheida district of Leipzig south of the city center.
Tram: Take the number 15 tram from Leipzig Central Station (Augustusplatz) 12 stops (17 minutes) and then a 5-minute walk.
Bus: Take a 690 bus to Probstheida then a 7-minute walk. Buses 15, 74, 75, 76, 79, 106, 108, and 141 also stop at Probstheida.
Address: Connewitzer Straße 21, 04289 Leipzig, Germany
Nearby Hotels
NH Leipzig Messe - a 4 Star hotel with 108 rooms.
Book Accommodation in Leipzig
Hotels in Leipzig - Booking.com - accommodation in Leipzig
Hotels in Germany - Booking.com - hotels throughout Germany.
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