Remember the roar of the crowd. This is Eisstadion an der Brehmstraße. It stands as a testament to Düsseldorf’s rich ice hockey history. From 1935 to 2006, it was the cherished home of the Düsseldorfer EG. The Eisstadion an der Brehmstraße is Germany’s most traditional ice sports hall.
The Eisstadion an der Brehmstraße is located on Brehmstraße. This is a busy north-south road. It sits next to Zoopark. The park was the site of the Düsseldorf Zoological Garden from 1876 to 1943.
Picture this: November 23, 1935. The Eisstadion an der Brehmstraße opened. It was Germany’s third ice stadium after Berlin and Munich. Architect Peter Dierichsweiler led the construction. He received financial support from Ernst Poensgen. Poensgen was a Düsseldorf steel industrialist and sports patron. The original stadium held 8,000 spectators. Sadly, it was badly damaged in World War II.
After reconstruction in 1946, the Eisstadion an der Brehmstraße held 10,500. It was Germany’s largest ice sports hall for decades. In 1969, the stadium was roofed. Architect Friedrich Tamms designed the steel construction. A standing tribune was added on the north side.
The Ice Hockey World Championships took place here. They were in 1955, 1975, and 1983. Anatoli Tarassow praised the fans. He called them the “Best Fans in the World”. That was in September 1971. The DEG celebrated eight German championships here. The first title in 1967 included fireworks inside the stadium. The roof then made that impossible.
In the early 1990s, seating was added between standing areas and the roof. Standing areas became seating areas in the late 1990s. The Eisstadion an der Brehmstraße then held 10,285. This included 6,922 standing places. “Die Brehm” was Germany’s best-attended ice stadium. This was during the Düsseldorfer EG’s successful times. From 1986 to 1996, almost every home game sold out. The DEG sold over 9,500 season tickets.
Between 1955 and 1995, there was an additional ice surface. It was next to the Eisstadion an der Brehmstraße. It served as a training area. This area was closed due to disrepair. It became a parking lot. A new roofed ice hall was built in 2004. Now the Brehmstraße has two ice halls. Düsseldorf has a platform for youth ice hockey.
The DEL team moved to the ISS Dome in 2006. The ISS Dome holds 13,400 spectators. The Brehmstraße remains the training location. It is the venue for all youth teams. The old stadium lacked comfort and modern amenities. It could not compete with new multifunctional arenas. Parking was also difficult because of the inner-city location.
The Eisstadion an der Brehmstraße is a cult site. It has an uncomfortable but impressive atmosphere. In 2006, the club organized a farewell. Over 5,000 fans marched. They went from the Eisstadion to the ISS Dome.
Consider this. The Eisstadion an der Brehmstraße is more than just a stadium. It is a symbol. It embodies Düsseldorf’s passion. It reflects the enduring spirit of German ice hockey.