Germany 2006 FIFA World Cup Venues

FIFA World Cup Host Cities - HANOVER

Hanover city profile

The first documented mention of Hanover dates from the year 1150. Its charter as a city was confirmed in 1241, and in 1636 it was proclaimed the capital of the Welf dynasty. In 1866, the Kingdom of Prussia ended the rule of the Kingdom of Hanover, which had experienced its era of greatest importance during its personal union with the Kings of England from 1714 to 1837.

Hanover, which has been the capital city of Lower Saxony since 1946 and is one of Germany's ten largest cities, is a major international trade fair location. Two of the most important trade fairs, the Hanover Fair and CEBIT, are held at the city's new conference center. The trade fair center will also be one of the locations for EXPO 2000, where the World Fair will be held at the end of the millennium under its motto "Man - Nature - Technology ". More than 20 million guests from all over the world are expected to visit this event.

Hanover's unique Sports Park is one of the city's outstanding features, with the combined advantage of bordering on the city centre while at the same time being part of a large recreational area around Maschsee Lake. The conditions are practically ideal there both for topperformance and for mass sports.

In addition to the "Niedersachsenstadion" and the State Lower Saxony Sports College, where sporting skills are taught by the state's official sports associations, the Sports Park also contains an indoor stadium for all indoor sports, a combined- event facility, hard courts and a stadium swimming pool. Maschsee Lake is a training site for rowing, canoeing and sailing clubs.

• World Cup 1974
• EURO 88
• International games
• German Championship finals

Hanover stadium profile

• Group stage: 34,311
• Round of sixteen: 33,965

Hanover, capital city of the state of Lower Saxony, is ready to delight visiting fans with its fine, purpose-built football stadium. Work to reconstruct the venerable Niedersachsenstadion was completed ahead of schedule in December 2004.

The arena, boasting a 50,000 capacity for Bundesliga fixtures, features a free-standing, 2,500 tonne roof supporting structure. The sections of the roof overhanging the playing surface are constructed from an ultra-violet permeable foil, ensuring the pitch receives the light it needs to remain in perfect condition.

The playing area is naturally equipped with undersoil heating and drainage. The old 70-metre floodlight pylons in the corners have been replaced by a state-of-the-art roof-mounted lighting system, comprising 150 1,500 Lux spotlights. Spectator information and entertainment is provided by two 41 square metre LED video walls. A 26,400 watt PA system featuring 66 loudspeakers guarantees superb audio effects.

The Niedersachsenstadion was completed in 1954 and has been home to Hannover 96 since 1959.

Building work began in March 2003 with the demolition of the North stand.

Financing:
€24m from the city of Hanover, state of Lower Saxony and region of Hanover, €20m from a bank consortium, €20m from the Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (secured by a guarantee from the city of Hanover).

(*) "Total Seating Capacity" means the Gross Capacity less the seats unavailable for use due to restricted views and security/contingency reserves for the 2006 FIFA World Cup. This capacity is estimated and may change once these deductions are finally determined.
(**) "Purchasable Ticket Capacity" means the Total Seating Capacity less tickets reserved for the media and press, VIP requirements and complimentary tickets. This capacity is based on maximum media requirements and may change once these requirements are finally determined.