History and description

The Holstein-Stadion was originally called Holsteinplatz. It opened on October 15, 1911 with a friendly between FV Holstein and Preussen Berlin. At the time, it was just a field with one wooden stand. The ground at the Karlsruher Stadion was initially too small for KSV Holstein, which moved in after World War I. In 1922, the club expanded its stadium by constructing a new stand and earth banks on the other sides. At that time, the stadium could hold about 8,000 spectators.

The stadium gradually expanded over the next several decades, reaching a capacity of 18,000 in the 1940s. During World War II, the stadium was largely destroyed and it took until 1950 for it to be rebuilt. The new main stand opened that year, allowing the ground to hold 30,000 spectators.

One year later, the stadium's record attendance was set when 30,000 fans attended Holstein's game against HSV.

In the next several decades, no new developments were made with the exception of the installation of floodlights and the renaming of the stadium to Holstein-Stadion. In those years, the club seldom attracted more than a few thousand spectators.

The stadium slowly deteriorated in the 1990s, but while potential redevelopment or relocation to a new stadium were explored, little action was taken. It wasn't until 2005, when the German FA deemed the stadium unfit to host any matches that the situation became urgent enough for action. Two covered stands were built as a result, which opened in 2006.

Improvements continued in the next years, and in 2017 the club announced plans to expand the stadium with a new East Stand, which, when completed in 2018, should increase capacity to 15,000 people.

How to get to Holstein-Stadion

The Holstein-Stadion is located in the north of the city of Kiel, near the old town and a little over 4 kilometres from the main railway station. Bus 91 only runs once every 30 minutes and has limited service in the off-peak hours, so either bus 11, 501/502, or 900/901 can be more convenient. Buses also depart from the railway station. Get off at stop Hanssenstraße, from where it's a small walk to the stadium.

Kiel, located in the far north of Germany, has an hourly direct train service to and from Hamburg. The journey takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes.

Address: Europaplatz 1, 24103 Kiel

Holstein Kiel Tickets

Tickets for Holstein Kiel games can be bought online, by phone +49 1806-57002, at the Ticket Center at the Sparkassen-Arena-Kiel in central Kiel, or at any of the Eventim sales outlets in the Kiel region. If tickets are still available, they can be bought at the stadium on the day of the match. Holstein rarely sells out in the lower leagues, but since their rise to the 2. Bundesliga, they may sell out an odd high-profile match so it is recommended to book in advance.

Tickets cost either 24.00 for an uncovered seat, 31.00 for a covered seat, or 13.00 or 14.00 for standing. Tickets are 1.00 more expensive if bought on the day.

Useful websites

The Holstein-kiel website is the official website of Holstein Kiel. The Kiel-sailing-city website provides tourist information about the city of Kiel. The Kvg website provides public transport information about the city of Kiel.