Heinz von Heiden Arena

The Heinz-von-Heiden-Arena, formerly known as the Niedersachsenstadion, AWD Arena, and HDI Arena, is a soccer stadium in Hanover with 49,000 covered seats. It is located in the Sportpark Hannover, near Lake Maschsee, and was originally built in 1954 to seat 86,656 spectators. The stadium has undergone several renovations, particularly in preparation for major events such as the 1974 FIFA World Cup and the 1988 European Championship. The major renovation in 2003–2004, which transformed it into the current Heinz-von-Heiden-Arena, prepared the stadium for the 2006 FIFA World Cup and included the installation of a full roof, modern video displays, and floodlights.

The stadium’s architecture is characterized by an asymmetry in which the west stand was preserved, while the east stand was built at a steeper angle. Today, it serves primarily as the home stadium for Hannover 96 and is also used for international soccer matches and concerts. In recent years, artists such as U2, Bruce Springsteen, and Rammstein have performed here. In addition, the stadium is a popular venue for other sports, including rugby and ice hockey, and hosts numerous concerts and cultural events. In 2022, the stadium also hosted an ice hockey game between the Hannover Scorpions and the Hannover Indians, which took place in front of 32,000 spectators.

With the conversions and renovations, the Heinz-von-Heiden-Arena has cemented its place as a multifunctional stadium and is a major attraction for sports and music fans in the region.