Veltins Arena is a large football stadium situated in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. It is the 6th-largest stadium in Germany, with a capacity of 62271 for league games. Supporters look for the Veltins Arena seating plan with seat numbers to find the seats. It is also known as Gelsenkirchen Stadium due to its location.
The construction of the stadium started in 1998, and it was opened in 2001 as Arena AufSchalke. It was renamed to Veltins Arena in 2005 after the naming agreement. It is the home stadium of the Schalke 04 football club, which competes in the Bundesliga. The team’s home games are played here during the season. It is commonly known as the Schalke 04 Stadium during the home matches. It is owned and managed by FC Schalke 04.
Arena AufSchalke features a retractable roof and a slide pitch. It is one of the few stadiums in the world with a sliding pitch. It is helpful during other events besides football and helps protect the football pitch from damage. It has hosted many notable events, including the 2006 FIFA World Cup, the 2004 UEFA Champions League final, the 2010 IIHF World Championship, Euro 2024, speedway, etc.
Veltins Arena is also used to host other events, and the record attendance was 77803 in 2010 during the Ice Hockey games. The stadium has a capacity of 54,740 for international football matches. It is used by the German national football team for selected games. It is the home ground of FC Shakhtar Donetsk for UEFA Champions League matches since 2024.
Veltins Arena Seating Plan
It is quite a big Stadium with all the modern facilities. The stadium seats are spread across multiple levels, stands, and sections to accommodate the large crowd. The Veltins Arena seating plan shows the locations of all the important areas of the stadium, and it helps with choosing pre-booked seats.
It has multiple entrances, and the locations of all entry gates are shown on the map. Visitors can see the location of lifts, stairs, general seating area, suites, premium sections, ticket booking office, tunnels, etc. The location of all four main stands, along with the lounge, is depicted on the seating map.
Accessible seats and wheelchair-friendly areas are available at the Veltins Arena. Companion seats, accessible toilets, a changing room, lifts, a hearing-assistance system, and other facilities are available in the stand. Accessible seats at Veltins Arena are limited in number and sell out quickly during big events. Visitors looking to attend an event at Veltins Arena should pre-book their seats due to limited availability.
Veltins Arena Best Seats
This stadium is primarily used for hosting football matches. Visitors can choose the best seats at Veltins Arena to enhance the experience. The seats in the lower level are considered the best for enjoying a football match. The front seats in the lower level, in blue, can be chosen for a good view of the match. The seats are situated in the East and West Stands. These are one of the most expensive seats in the general category and are always in high demand during International football games and Bundesliga FC Schalke 04 games.
The premium sections include business seats, lounges, clubs, boxes, suites, etc., for supporters with deep pockets. They provide one of the best views of the field, along with the comfort and hospitality services. The seats in the middle level, around the halfway line, have good views and are more affordable than the lower level. The seats in the upper level are the most affordable and offer a wider view of the field.
The seats behind the goal posts in the North and South stands at Veltins Arena are good for witnessing scoring moments. The atmosphere is amazing, especially when the ball is around the goalpost area. In this stand, the seats in the middle level are affordable, and the top-level seats are among the cheapest. Visitors should avoid the last-row seats and the extreme corner seats at Veltins Arena due to limited views.
Veltins Arena Seating Plan Concerts
This stadium is regularly used to host big events and concerts. The stadium field is used to set up a performance stage, along with temporary arrangements to accommodate additional visitors. The stage setup is divided into two categories: the end stage and the center stage. The capacity of the visitor is more in the centre stage setup as all the stands can be used to get a good view.
The stage location, along with the temporary arrangements and fixed areas, is shown on the Veltins Arena seating plan for concerts. The location of the premium sections is also depicted on the seating layout.
Veltins Arena Concerts Best Seats
The seats around the stage are among the best due to their close proximity. These are among the most expensive sections and are in high demand during major events. The premium sections are good for people with a high budget. The lower-level sections are more affordable than the on-field areas. The seats in the middle level strike a balance between view and cost. The seats in the top level are the most affordable in the Veltins Arena for the concerts. They are far from the event area, and visitors get an elevated view of the stage. It is advisable to avoid the extreme corners and the last-row seats due to poor stage visibility.
Veltins Arena Parking Map and Transport
Arena AufSchalke has one of the largest parking space is in Germany and Europe. More than 14000 parking spaces are located around the stadium. Multiple parking spots with step-free options are situated for guests with mobility issues. The locations of the parking lots are depicted on the Veltins Arena parking map.
The location of all the parking lots, along with the charging station, can be seen on the map. Some parking lots are reserved for premium ticket holders, members, pass holders, and people with disabilities. The coach parking is also situated in these lots. Visitors are advised to pre-book the parking before the big event to avoid any inconvenience. Click on the official link to learn more about parking and transport options.
VELTINS-Arena stop is situated just outside the stadium on Tram Line 302. Visitors can also use the shuttle bus or public bus services to reach the Veltins Arena.
VELTINS Arena Bag Policy and Security
Only a small bag of size A4 or smaller is allowed inside the Veltins Arena after the screening. A storage facility is not available at the venue to accommodate the large bags and prohibited items. Guests should carry only mobile phones, small wallets, and essential items to avoid delays at the entrances. Medical bags and diapers can be allowed after the inspection. AufSchalke Arena has strict security checks at all gates, which include metal detectors and X-ray machines.
VELTINS Arena 2026 Events Schedule
| Date & Day | Event | Expected Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday, April 18, 2026 | FC Schalke 04 vs. SC Preußen Münster | €25 – €90 |
| Sunday, May 3, 2026 | FC Schalke 04 vs. Fortuna Düsseldorf | €30 – €110 |
| Sunday, May 17, 2026 | FC Schalke 04 vs. Eintracht Braunschweig | €35 – €120 |
| Tuesday, June 23, 2026 | Helene Fischer: 360° Stadion Tour | €100 – €450 |
| Saturday, July 11, 2026 | Böhse Onkelz: 45 Jahre Live | €130 – €600 |
| August 2026 (TBD) | 2026/27 2. Bundesliga Home Opener | €20 – €85 |
| Saturday, Oct 10, 2026 | OLÉ auf Schalke: Die größte Mallorca-Party | €50 – €150 |
| Sunday, Dec 27, 2026 | Biathlon World Team Challenge (Tentative) | €45 – €180 |
