Host city focus: Gelsenkirchen Euro 2024 fixtures, stadium and more

Our host city focus turns its attention to Gelsenkirchen Euro 2024 ahead of the tournament which begins on June 14.

The selected stadium for this city is the Veltins Arena, known as Arena AufSchalke for the competition, and serves as one of 10 hosting venues for the tournament.

If you are unfamiliar with the ground, this article will take a deep dive into everything you need to know about the facility ahead of Euro 2024, including matchday travel, stadium facts and more!

Gelsenkirchen Euro 2024: What to expect

England get off to winning ways at Gelsenkirchen Euro 2024

With both England and Serbia fans famous for being extremely passionate, the opening match at Gelsenkirchen Euro 2024 was always likely to impress. The Three Lions' performance may have been underwhelming, but the supporters certainly delivered.

From the celebrations when Jude Bellingham scored the only goal of the game, to Serbia supporters willing their team on at every opportunity, the atmosphere was incredible for the entire 90 minutes.

Take a look at these two Charlton Athletic fans for example, who not only travelled all the way to Germany to watch Gareth Southgate's side, but also took the opportunity to shine a spotlight on the London-based club too.

Or the many Serbia supporters who ensured their country's flag was flying high at the Arena AufSchalke on Sunday, June 16.

📸🇷🇸#EURO2024 | #SRBENG pic.twitter.com/RKJihws9GX

— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) June 16, 2024

Key Gelsenkirchen Euro 2024 stadium facts

• Location: Gelsenkirchen, Germany
• Year Opened: 2001
• Matchday capacity: 50,000

As is the case with many of the grounds at Euro 2024, the stadium will be unable to use its usual Veltins-Arena name due to rules put into place by UEFA and FIFA, so will instead be referred to as the Arena AufSchalke.

Somewhat unsurprisingly, it is the home of German side Schalke 04 and has a proven history of successfully hosting important matches in the past.

A brief history of the Veltins-Arena

The stadium was born out of a desire from both the club and its fans to move on from the outdated Parkstadion – their previous home. Construction began in 1998 and was finally completed in 2001, three years before the club's 100th anniversary.

It was designed as a multi-functional facility, able to host large music concerts with ease, and features several innovative pieces of technology – including a retractable roof.

In its fairly short lifespan, it has hosted the 2004 Champions League Final as well as a handful of games at the 2006 World Cup. The Veltins Arena has also played host in other sports, notably at the 2010 Ice Hockey World Championships.

How many fixtures will Arena AufSchalke host at Gelsenkirchen Euro 2024?

The stadium will host a total of four matches at the tournament across a variety of different stages. Those fixtures are as follows (all times are local):

Group Stage

• Serbia vs England – June 16 – 9pm
• Spain vs Italy – June 20 – 9pm
• Georgia vs Portugal – June 26 – 9pm

Round of 16

• TBC vs TBC – June 30 – 6pm

Rules at Veltins Arena for Gelsenkirchen Euro 2024

As was the case in our Munich Euro 2024 guide, UEFA has again stated that even if you are a regular at the stadium, a different set of rules may be in place for Gelsenkirchen Euro 2024. Those rules are as follows:

• No bags greater than the size of A4 will be permitted within the premises
• Only power banks no larger than your phone will be allowed inside the ground
• A valid form of ID upon entry is mandatory
• No professional cameras or cane umbrellas (regular collapsable umbrellas will be permitted)
• Smoking of any kind including the use of cigarettes and e-cigarettes is strictly not allowed

Matchday travel for Gelsenkirchen Euro 2024

UEFA have been keen to emphasise the importance of sustainability at Euro 20o24, and have as a result urged all supporters to make use of the excellent public transport system in Germany wherever possible.

To make it even easier, all fans with a matchday ticket for any game hosted at Arena AufSchalke will receive a 36-hour travel pass for both the VRR and VRS networks, valid from 6am on matchday until 6pm the following day.

As mentioned, the public transport network in Germany is famously reliable, something we Brits could only dream of, and some rough guidelines for travel between key locations are as follows:

• Gelsenkirchen Central Station to Veltins Arena – 20 minutes
• Gelsenkirchen Central Station to Fan Zone – 15 minutes
• Dusseldorf Airport to Gelsenkirchen Central Station – 35 minutes
• Fan zone to Veltins Arena – 15 minutes

Disabled facilities at Gelsenkirchen Euro 2024

First things first, it is worth remembering that the train and tram stop named “Gelsenkirchen Veltins Arena” is not step-free, and instead, wheelchair users should opt to disembark at “Willy-Brandt-Allee”.

This stop is a little further away but is far more suitable for wheelchair users, and a shuttle bus will be provided to and from the station and stadium.

Accessible parking permits are available to purchase during the ticket application process, although these are not guaranteed and are provided on a first-come-first-serve basis.

Dedicated accessibility volunteers will also be on-site at every game, while audio-descriptive commentary will also be provided at all matches.

A wheelchair loan service will also be in place at Arena Aufschalke for the tournament.

We hope everybody visiting the stadium has a wonderful and memorable experience of Gelsenkirchen Euro 2024.