Once a humble 20000-seat stadium it now stands before you. The Ulrich-Haberland-Stadion. A testament to time and transformation.
This wasn’t always the BayArena you see today. Originally named Ulrich-Haberland-Stadion after a Bayer AG president it served as a home for Bayer 04 Leverkusen since 1958. But its early years were far from glamorous.
Imagine the 1980s. The stadium was in desperate need of an upgrade. Renovation began. It was a slow process. Discussions about a terrace behind one goal dragged on for years. The renovation took over a decade.
Finally in 1997 it was completed. The stadium had been reborn as a modern all-seater. The capacity increased to 22500. A hotel was even added in 1999. Some rooms offer incredible views of the pitch.
But even this improved stadium wasn’t big enough. Leverkusen bid to host the 2006 World Cup. They planned to expand the BayArena to 40000 seats. It proved impractical. The city withdrew its bid. The stadium was too small.
The next major step was the expansion of 2009. A second tier was added. A brand new roof was constructed. The old green seats were replaced by red. The capacity soared to its current 30210.
Today the Ulrich-Haberland-Stadion has become the BayArena. This modern facility is a far cry from its humble beginnings. It’s a symbol of the club’s growth and ambition. Yet it retains a piece of its history. The name Ulrich-Haberland-Stadion lives on in a smaller stadium nearby. A reminder of where it all began. A legacy for the future generations of fans.