History and description

The Bruchwegstadion has been the home of 1. FSV Mainz for over 70 years and is currently the home of the Mainz? U23 team. Until 1937, Mainz played their home games at Stadion Fort Bingen, but were forced to move to the Bruchwegstadion to make place for army barracks. At the time, the Bruchwegstadion only consisted of one uncovered stand and a running track.

Mainz spent only a brief time at their new home after the stadium suffered severe damage during World War II. The club had to move away again, however, until 1949 when they were finally able to return.

Finally, in 2002, a major renovation project was started that increased the stadium's capacity to 32,000. In the 1950s, the stadium gradually got improved and expanded and reached a capacity of about 20,000 people. However, in the next decades few changes were made other than the construction of additional roofs in 1981. Finally, in 2002 a major renovation project was started that increased the stadium's capacity to 32,000 people.

Overall, the stadium remained a rather poor affair and few amenities were offered to the small crowds that showed up in Mainz's darkest years when they struggled in the regional amateur leagues.

However, by the late 1980s Mainz's fortunes slowly started to change and with their promotion to the 2. Bundesliga the crowds gradually returned. For several high-profile matches the club even arranged removable bleachers for the empty southern end. Floodlights were finally installed in 1995.

In 1997, a temporary bleachers were replaced with a more permanent steel construction. At the same time, a similar construction was erected on the other end of the stadium.

Mainz regularly challenged for promotion in the early 2000s, but the successes prompted the club to undertake a major renovation program. Two new stands were built- one at the main stand and one on the opposite side- and makeshift stands were installed to fill two of the four corners. This renovation happened just in time for Mainz's 2004 promotion to Bundesliga.

Although the Bruchwegstadion was initially able to meet the needs of the team, it quickly became evident that they needed a new stadium in order to keep up with the new stadiums being built in other Bundesliga clubs. Three years after completion of the new stands, Mainz already started making plans for a new stadium.

Two years after the construction of the Coface Arena began, Mainz moved to their new home in 2011. In its final years, the stadium could hold 20,300 spectators.

Since Mainz moved out of the Bruchwegstadion, the stadium has been home to the club's U23 team.

How to get to Bruchwegstadion

The Bruchwegstadion is located near Mainz' main railway station and old town. The walk from the railway station takes 10 minutes, that from the old town 5 minutes more. Address: Dr.-Martin-Luther-King-Weg, 55122 Mainz

FSV Mainz II Tickets

Tickets for Mainz II games can be bought in advance at the Fan Shop at the Opel Arena or on the day from two hours before the start of the match at the ticket windows of the Bruchwegstadion. There is no need to buy in advance as FSV Mainz II never sell out.

Relevant Internet links

1. FC Mainz 05's official website is Mainz.de. This site provides tourist information, public transport information, and more.