Road to the World Cup

Focus: Stuttgart

The Stadium
Located inside the huge Cannstatter Wasen sports complex in the borough of Bad Cannstadt, the Gottlieb-Daimler-Stadion is one of Europe’s most modern and most ideally designed soccer venues. Probably its most spectacular feature is the steel cable-truss construction of the membrane roof, which covers all the seats in the house. A four-inch stripe of this material can hold over 2,200 Ibs; The amount of steel used during the process of construction of the roof surpassed 2,700,000 Ibs.

The stadium, which is home to Bundesliga giants VfB Stuttgart, is currently being modernized to meet all the requirements come 2006. By the start of next year’s World Cup, its already increased capacity will be topped up further, from 42,000 to at least 54,000. In addition, the stadium’s floodlights and loudspeaker system will experience a boost in power, while the new full-matrix color video scoreboards are already the biggest in Europe. Their two screens combine for a total of 2,500 ft?, each scoreboard weighing approximately 24,200 Ibs.

Where do I go if I don’t have tix?
Sure it won’t be the real deal, but the city of Stuttgart is keen on making life for those without tickets at least a little less frustrating. For the duration of the world’s greatest sporting event, the city center will be inviting all soccer fans to be part of the “Fest der Nationen” (festival of the nations). In the district Oberer Schlossgarten, numerous events will be taking place around the Schlossplatz and the popular lake Eckensee, while a permanent stage will see both local and international performers displaying their skills in music, sports and more. But most importantly, all the World Cup matches will be shown live on several big screens right on the Schlossplatz, which will be surrounded by a large variety of international foods to choose from after the final whistle. The event schedule for Stuttgart’s city center will be constantly adjusted, depending on which teams are doing battle. And for those looking to revive after some leg-breaking tackles, the Königstraße, which is rumored to be Europe’s longest pedestrian zone, will be hosting the highly anticipated jazz festival “S-City swingt.”

Pubs, Restaurants and Nightlife
According to my in-town contact, if you’re looking for a place to eat, drink or party away from the Schlossplatz, your choice could not be any more obvious. Located, for the most part, in the city center’s Rathaus district, the Königstraße is the place to go out in Stuttgart and is easy ro reach from the “Fest der Nationen.”

Whether it’s pre-game lunch, a cold beer in between matches or post-game clubbing, simply come here and you can be certain to find a place that will suit your needs. Numerous international restaurants—including many excellent Italian eateries—offer their diverse dishes near the Königstraße, while traditional Swabian places such as Der Zauberlehrling, Kachelofen or Schellenturm are experts when it comes to local specialities. And if you’re ever out partying, quite a few bistros and cafés will be open late and determined to keep you from starving. Some of them are, for example, the Enchilada Restaurante y Bar Mexicano, the Charisma Musik-Café und Restaurant (live music!) or the Classic Rock Café with its American cuisine.

When it comes to pubs and bars, the Rathaus district will not disappoint you either, as it offers everything from different international beers to wines, cocktails and more.

Other cool stuff
Imagine you have just arrived in Stuttgart and it’s two days until the big match you’ve got tickets for. Well, why not at least pretend like you’re not only interested in soccer? Maybe the best way to do so is by taking a tour of the sights and stopping by Stuttgart’s impressive television tower. This landmark, which served as the model for all of the world’s television towers, was taken into operation in 1956. It grants visitors a spectacular view of the city and its surroundings, including the famous vineyards, the Black Forest and—on numerous days during the year—the panorama of the German, Austrian and Swiss Alps. If it’s a nice day and you’ve got the chance to go, take it! And who knows, you might even spot Bruce and his boys preparing for the big battle.

How to get around
Assuming Stuttgart does not come up with any special offers for soccer fans, the easiest way to use the city’s public-transportation system will be by means of purchasing a three-day ticket. Having done so at a VVS ticket counter, one adult and two children (6-17 years of age) will be able to use all buses, subway lines and trams for a period of three days. Note that the ticket is limited to the zones it has been made valid for. But since the city center is not too far from the stadium, a fan planning to travel back and forth between the two would only need a ticket valid for the respective zones, thus paying about $10 (U.S.). Be sure to check back with a VVS official upon your arrival in Stuttgart to find out about new prices and special offers.