Built in 1974 for the World Cup, the Westfalenstadion is one of Europe's most beautiful football arenas. The stadium was the German Football Association's (DFB) "trump card" in its application to host the final rounds of the 2006 World Cup.
http://www.stadiumguide.com/westfalenstadion.htm
More than a million fans were guests at the Westfalenstadion for the 99-00 season - an absolute league record! The large number of spectators was made possible through expansion, in which the "BVB temple" became an arena of the superlative, a football opera for almost 69,000 spectators. Unique in size, type, as well as entertainment value, Borussia's home field stands as a model for other stadium projects throughout Europe. The record time in which the ambitious project came to fruition is also unique. From the first scoop of the spade to the topping-out ceremony, the entire expansion took only 3½ months.
With a 25,000-person capacity, the Südtribühne now has the largest terrace of all European stadiums. When the terrace is filles to capacity, three fans share the size of an unfolded newspaper - a genuine community feeling. For international meetings, the Südtribühne can convert into 10,500 seats within two days. The Nordtribühne received an additional tier. Similar to East and West stands it offers now 7,800 seats on an overhead tier. The lately installed lawn heating system, which is mandatory in Bundesliga stadiums, provides optimal playing conditions even during cold seasons. Altogether, 30 kilometres of heating coil insures that the days of ice, snow and slush on the pitch are issues of the past. The Westfalenstadion is also on the "cutting-edge", in regards to the constant and increasing media demands. Two video matrix screens, each one roughly 50 metres large, enable optimal viewing from each angle of the arena. Within the stands, 350 television sets broadcast current information courtesy of "Fan TV".
The Borussia Park, inside the Nordtribühne, offers two floors for 1,600 guests during home matches. In an attractive restaurant area, over 1,000 pictures, cups/trophies, and exhibits, documenting the club's 90-year-old history await visitors. Around the imitation of Borsigplatz (a square in the Northern town of Dortmund) one can cultivate business relations or discuss BVB home matches in a 60's or 90's atmosphere.
Facts about the match operations in the Westfalenstadion
On matchdays about 140 policemen patrol the ground
60 medics and two doctors are on duty for all cases
Up to 500 staff members insure the operation's "smooth sailing"
On a regular Bundesliga matchday stadium spectators consume about
57.000 cups of beer (0,3l)
12,000 grilled sausages
2,000 frankfurters
1.500 schnitzel
1,500 hamburgers
1,800 pizzas
3,500 pretzels
2,500 candy bars
