<\/p>\n

Key facts<\/h3>\n

Club: Borussia Dortmund | Opening: 1974 | Capacity: 81,359 (25,000 standing)<\/p>\n

History and description<\/h3>\n

Signal Iduna Park, before 2005 called Westfalenstadion, was built to serve as a playing venue for the 1974 World Cup.<\/p>\n

Until then Dortmund had played their home matches at Stadion Rote Erde, and while an expansion of that stadium was first considered, in the end was chosen to build a new stadium all together.<\/p>\n

Westfalenstadion officially opened on the 2nd of April 1974 with a friendly between Dortmund and Schalke 04. The stadium back then only consisted of one tier that could hold 54,000 spectators, of which 37,000 standing.<\/p>\n

The stadium stood out because of its rectangular shape in a time when most large stadiums were still bowl-shaped, and its four separate stands served as inspiration for a new generation of stadiums. Ibrox Stadium<\/a>‘s redevelopment in the late 1970s was, for example, largely based on Westfalenstadion.<\/p>\n

During the 1974 World Cup, Westfalenstadion hosted three first round group matches and the second round group match between Holland and Brazil (2-0).<\/p>\n

The stadium remained largely unchanged until the early 1990s, when the increased successes of Dortmund grew the need for expansion.<\/p>\n

Works started with the conversion of part of the standing areas into seats, actually reducing capacity, but then continued in 1995 with the construction of a second tier on top of the East and West Stand.<\/p>\n

Shortly after, building works started on a second tier for the North and South Stand, which were completed in 1999. The stadium could then hold 68,600 spectators, and the 25,000-capacity South Stand had become the largest terrace of Europe.<\/p>\n

In 2001, Westfalenstadion hosted the UEFA Cup final<\/a> between Liverpool and Alav\u00e9s (5-4).<\/p>\n

The redevelopment of the stadium was completed between 2002 and 2003 when all four corners got closed up with stands. Two years later, in 2005, the stadium changed name to Signal Iduna Park as a result of a sponsorship deal.<\/p>\n

In 2006, Signal Iduna Park was one of the playing venues of the 2006 World Cup<\/a>. Temporarily renamed and with a reduced capacity of 67,000 seats, the stadium hosted four group matches, a round of 16 match, and the semi-final between Germany and Italy (0-2).<\/p>\n\n\n \t\t\n\t\t\t\t

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(photos of the present Signal Iduna Park below)<\/p>\n

How to get to Signal Iduna Park<\/h3>\n

Signal Iduna Park is located in the south of Dortmund near the Westfalenhallen conference centre. Dortmund’s city centre and main rail station are about 3 kilometres away.<\/p>\n

The stadium can be reached by car from either the B1 (north, east, and west), or B54 (south). If coming from the B1, take exit Im Rabenloh. The stadium lies a few hundred metres to the south. If arriving from the B54, take exit An Der Buschm\u00fchle. Drive east until you will turn with a curve onto the Strobelallee and head straight ahead until you see the stadium.<\/p>\n

Signal Iduna Park can be easily reached by train from Dortmund’s main railway<\/a> station in the centre. In just 5 minutes you will arrive at Dortmund Signal Iduna Park station, from where it is a short walk to the stadium. Trains typically run three to four times an hour.<\/p>\n

Alternatively, you can take the U-Bahn<\/a> from the centre and get off at station Westfalenhallen, from where it is a 5-minute walk to the stadium. Both line 45 and 46 serve the station.<\/p>\n

On matchdays, there is a special service that will continue to station Stadion, which is even closer to the stadium.<\/p>\n

The stadium is furthermore within walking distance of Theodor-Fliedner-Heim station, which is on U-Bahn line 42.<\/p>\n

Address: Strobelallee 50, 44139 Dortmund<\/p>\n