Road to the World Cup

Focus: Kaiserslautern

The Stadium
The story of Kaiserslautern’s Fritz-Walter-Stadion is one of near collapse and impressive resurgence. Construction of the stadium finished in 1920 and the soccer cathedral atop the Betzenberg mountain soon became known among fans simply as “Betze.” This nickname prevailed even after 1985, when the home of Bundesliga side FC Kaiserslautern underwent a name change from Berzenbergstadion to Fritz-Walter-Stadion in honor of Germany’s legendary 1954 World Cup captain. Around 1990, officials then agreed on a 15 year development plan that would turn the historic soccer stadium into one of the premier venues for the sport in the country. However, due to heavy mismanagement on the part of FC Kaiserslautern’s executive board, the club nearly faced bankruptcy in 1998, which threatened the future of professional soccer in the area. As a result, the stadium had to be sold to the local Fritz-Walter-Stadion GmBH, while the federal government and the city of Kaiserslautern made major investments to keep the area’s most important sporting venue alive.

Today, construction on the East stand has been completed, and the extension of the West stand will bring the stadium’s total capacity to 48,500. In addition, the Fritz-Walter-Stadion will feature new floodlighting on the roofs of the North and South stands, as well as new media facilities integrated into the North stand. The East and West stands will see the installation of an improved sound system, while a tower for both VIP and media boxes will be added to the stadium. By June 2006, renovation of the historic soccer venue will have cost almost $90 million (U.S.).

Where Do I Hang If I Don’t Have Tickets?
Since German officials have been able to agree on an outstanding master concept, even fans without tickets can be sure to have a memorable experience in Kaiserslautern. As in the other World Cup cities, the “fan fest” will be opening its gates here, offering public viewing and a colorful supporting program—both free of charge. For the duration of the world’s greatest sporting event, Kaiserslautern’s official big screen will have its home on Stiftsplatz, while plans are in the making for a fan center along Eisenbahnstraße and Rummelstraße all the way to the public-viewing area. Meanwhile, less gigantic screens might be put up on smaller plazas and walls all over town, as officials are expecting up to 100,000 soccer tourists on each of the 5 match days. This would about double the city’s population, since Kaiserslautern is the smallest of all German World Cup cities. And should the U.S. play here, you might be in for a truly unique experience, as 40,000 American soldiers and their families are already stationed around Kaiserslautern, making the region the largest U.S. military base outside of the United States.

Grub, Pubs and Going All Night
Kaiserslautern offers numerous places to have a few beers and relax after an exhausting two hours of cheering your team to victory. Most pubs and bars are situated right in the city center, where German places such as Altbier-Stübchen or Central enjoy significant popularity. Meanwhile, many English-speaking visitors are attracted by American establishments like Metropolitan or the wine bar Moll’s Keller. And, if you’re looking to kill some time until the big match, simply hop on a bus and get off near two of the most popular billiards spots—the Billiard Café and the huge Fun Dome Billiard Café, which are both within walking distance of each other.

Meanwhile, the city center is also your place to go for lunch and dinner. Here, you will find everything from Spinnrädl’s traditional Palatinate food to numerous Italian, Greek, Chinese, French and Turkish eateries, and also restaurants with more exotic cuisines, such as Nepalese and Russian.

If you’re looking to party the night away, Kaiserslautern might not be your first choice, as clubs and discos are harder to come by here than in the bigger cities. Nonetheless, another bus ride after dinner can get you to three popular hotspots within walking distance from each other—Blue Eye, Fillmore and Step’s.

Other Must-Do’s
Even though Kaiserslautern can hardly be considered a metropolis, its diversity attracts a significant number of visitors every year. The city’s surrounding region, the huge Palatinate Forest, is perfect for a large range of activities such as walking, hiking, roller- skating and mountain-biking. In addition, Kaiserslautern has a rich history, as it was first mentioned as “Lutra” in an official document in 830, and famous Emperor Frederick I (Barbarossa) built an imperial palace here in 1152. However, despite its historic buildings and the scenic historical district, Kaiserslautern is a surprisingly modern city. Families are offered a variety of activities here, including many adventure playgrounds, a zoo, a wild animal park and the famous Garden Show, which is host to Europe’s largest dinosaur exhibition.

How To Get Around
Pending potential changes, the best way for soccer fans to travel between the city center and the stadium area will be by means of purchasing a one-week pass for 14 euros. In doing so, you will be able to use the city’s public-transportation system within the respective zone 24/7. And if you’re planning on a trip to Kaiserslautern’s surrounding region, simply ask an official at the city center’s Hauptbahnhof (main train station) about the fairly inexpensive day pass, which can be made valid for as many zones as needed.