Five thousand souls. That’s how many the Willy-Kressmann-Stadion can hold. Can you imagine the roar?
Welcome to the Willy-Kressmann-Stadion in Berlin’s Kreuzberg district. This isn’t just any stadium. It’s a piece of Berlin history breathing life. It opened in 1914. It was then known as the Katzbachstadion. Its name a nod to the Battle of Katzbach during the Napoleonic Wars.
The stadium has seen it all. Expansion in 1924 boosted its capacity to a whopping 12000. Red brick buildings sprouted. They housed changing rooms and a clubhouse. A running track even appeared. This wasn’t just a football pitch. It was a community hub.
World War II brought a dark chapter. The stadium became a crucial part of Berlin’s air defense system. Searchlights and listening devices were placed here. Post-war the stadium needed clearing. Tons of rubble were removed. On August 11 1951 it was reborn. A testament to resilience.
A record-breaking crowd of approximately 10000 fans filled the Willy-Kressmann-Stadion on April 19 1954. The match? BFC Südring versus Hertha BSC. An unforgettable day. A record that may never be broken. The stadium’s capacity was reduced to 5000 in 1981.
For years the Willy-Kressmann-Stadion has been home to Türkiyemspor Berlin. A team with deep roots in the community. There was a brief period from 2008 to 2012 when they played elsewhere. The stadium didn’t meet German Football Association standards. They returned to their beloved home in Kreuzberg. The stadium also hosts FC Internationale Berlin. Berlin’s Turnerschaft uses the track and field facilities.
In 2007 a planned match between BSV Al-Dersimspor and Iran’s women’s national football team was almost a reality. This was going to be momentous. It would have been Iran’s first public women’s football match since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Unfortunately technical problems cancelled the game.
In 2010 the stadium was renamed to honor Willy Kressmann. He was a long-serving Kreuzberg mayor in the 1950s and 1960s. A fitting tribute to a man who undoubtedly cherished the stadium as much as the community does.
So stand here. Feel the history. Let the echoes of cheers and triumphs surround you. The Willy-Kressmann-Stadion isn’t just a stadium. It’s a living memory. A testament to the enduring spirit of Kreuzberg and the city of Berlin.