Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion in Dresden officially opened

A new home for this club so steeped in tradition and eight-time champions of the old East German football league: the new Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion, which boasts a capacity of over 32,000 fans, was officially opened on September 15, 2009 with a programme packed with variety.

Kicking off with an opening game between ‘old boys’ of SG Dynamo Dresden and VfB Stuttgart themed “The Legends of ’89”, the celebrations moved on to the main match between today’s Dynamo and FC Schalke 04 teams. A concert given by one of Germany’s best-loved schlager artists, Roland Kaiser, and an impressive laser show and closing firework display rounded off these inauguration celebrations in a manner that perfectly reflected HBM’s own motto of “Building for emotions”. It was a spectacular and successful opening event for a stadium that unites both tradition and the future.

Based on the successful model of the old Ostseestadion, now DKB-Arena in Rostock, HBM has built an ultramodern football arena for the yellow and black-jerseyed Dynamo players. One by one and clockwise, the various stands were gradually dismantled and replaced by new ones. Today the stadium accommodates more than 32,000 spectators, of which – as a concession to the fans – more than 10,000 are standing places. It offers modern sanitary facilities and a wide variety of catering outlets, plus the security of state-of-the-art surveillance systems. And it features not only some 1200 corporate seats, but also – at long last – 22 VIP boxes, which were sold out in record time and will prove to be an important source of finances for the club.

Fig. 1: Mr Eichholtz (centre), Managing Director of the Dresden Stadium Project Company, just before giving his speech (left to right: Geert Mackenroth, Minister of Justice of the State of Saxony, HBM boss Axel Eichholtz and Hauke Haensel, President of Dynamo Dresden)

Fig. 2: Awe-inspiring bowl: a sell-out crowd of 32,300 spectators fill the stadium

Fig. 3: The corporate hospitality section

Fig. 4: Laser show brings the opening celebrations to a close

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Here is a translated transcript of the speech given by HBM’s managing director, Axel Eichholtz, at the opening:

“Dear friends of football,

In the name of the project company, I would like to extend a hearty welcome to all of you here this evening. And especially to all you fans who will finally be able to watch your football team in this emotive stadium.

On such an occasion, it is also time to express a big thank-you. I thank everyone who has contributed to enabling this beautiful stadium to be opened here today after just under 2 years under construction. A great big thank-you goes to the City of Dresden and Dynamo Dresden, who have been so understanding throughout the reconstruction period.

It is incumbent upon me at this time to cite a few facts and figures pertaining to this stadium.

– The stadium holds a total of 32,300 – and this evening’s event is a total sell-out.

– The stands are as steep and as close to the pitch as possible. There’s no other ground anywhere in the world where you are as close to the action as here.

– The fans’ pub will be completed shortly, bringing life to the ground to add to the football.

– The corporate hospitality facilities are another highlight, offering local companies and the people of our city ultramodern function rooms to take advantage of.

We have invested a great deal of effort and love in the building of this stadium, working hand in hand with everyone involved in the project. With a feeling of great pride and satisfaction, we hand over this stadium today to its official and true owners – to your good selves. It’s now up to you, the people of Dresden and the surrounding region, to fill this stadium with life – to make its heart beat.

May HBM’s own corporate motto, “Building for emotions”, become reality once again in this stadium.

We are extremely pleased with this stadium and look forward to seeing some gripping games by Dynamo Dresden – today and in the future – and we look forward even more to experiencing your emotions.

Thank you very much.”