Stadium bombshell? BVB considering doubling capacity | OneFootball

Borussia Dortmund is apparently planning to expand the Rote Erde stadium and significantly increase its capacity. However, monument protection, regulations, and unresolved questions could complicate the project.

A remarkable change could be on the horizon for BVB, away from Signal Iduna Park. According to reports from Ruhr Nachrichten, Borussia Dortmund is working on plans to significantly increase the capacity of the Rote Erde stadium. The traditional venue, which currently holds only about 10,000 spectators, could potentially be expanded to up to 20,000 seats. The main reason behind this is the growing interest in the matches of the U23 and the women's team.

“As a first step, we have made Rote Erde fit for the future and are currently in talks with the city to possibly expand the capacity of Rote Erde even further,” said Managing Director Carsten Cramer to Ruhr Nachrichten. The goal is to “occasionally be able to play in front of 15,000 or more spectators.”

The potential is already evident, as shown by a highlight match last year: Over 15,700 fans attended the BVB women's match against FC Bayern Munich—made possible by a special permit.

Rote Erde Stadium Belongs to the City: Many Regulations for BVB

However, the planned expansion is anything but simple. The stadium is a listed monument and belongs to the city of Dortmund. Accordingly, numerous regulations must be met, such as fire protection and escape routes. In addition to the city, the police and fire department are also involved in the planning.

Photo: Getty Images

Financially, the project would also be a challenge for BVB. The costs are estimated to be in the high six-figure range, which the club would likely have to cover mostly on its own. So far, there are no concrete expansion plans from the city. “Since the conditions at Rote Erde stadium are sufficient for hosting athletics competitions, there is no reason or consideration on the part of the city to increase the stadium’s capacity,” the city told Ruhr Nachrichten.

Despite the hurdles, the desire remains clear: Rote Erde should grow—possibly in time for the stadium’s 100th anniversary. Whether these plans will become reality now depends on the ongoing discussions.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.