The Arena AufSchalke is the latest of three grounds that have been home to Schalke 04 in the last 50 years. Until 2001, when the current stadium opened, Schalke's home ground was the Parkstadion, the remains of which still stand immediately next door. It had been built for the 1974 World Cup. From 1928 to 1973, Schalke played at the Glückauf-Kampfbahn about a mile down the road. When you see it today, with its old terraced banks removed, it's hard to believe that it used to regularly hold crowds of over 30,000. 

The current ground, which is als known for sponsorship purposes as the Veltins Arena, has a capacity for club matches of just over 62,000. This comes down to c. 55,000 whenever the terracing is converted to seated accommodation.

Getting there from the city centre
It's a single bus ride from the main station. Take, for instance, the number 302 heading for GE Buer Rathaus and get off at Gelsenkirchen VELTINS-Arena. It's supposed to be a 16-minute ride. In heavy matchday traffic, however, it may well take longer. I remember that on a swelteringly hot day in 2006 we got off and walked the last bit in order to get some air (and a beer!).

Getting there from the airport
If you're flying into the country on matchday and going straight to the ground, then you're best off flying into Duesseldorf Airport, from where you can get to the Arena in 90 minutes (e.g., with a regional train from the airport to Oberhausen Central Station and another regional train from there to Gelesenkirchen main station. Then by bus as above.)

You can plan your journey on the VRR local public transport website. Depending on the length of your planned stay in the area/Germany, it might be worth you getting a Deutschlandticket for unlimited use of local and regional public transport throughout the country. Alternatively, you might want to look at a regional WelcomeCard Ruhr (although it's not cheap, and probably only pays for itself if you spend several days in the Ruhr district and visit some of the tourist attractions for which it gives you discounted entry).

To keep this page uncluttered, I've not included any photos. Instead, I've put together a selection in this Gelsenkirchen City and Stadium Gallery