The city council in Frankfurt has given its initial approval to the development of a new arena near Deutsche Bank Park, home of Bundesliga club Eintracht Frankfurt.
The arena would have a capacity of up to 15,000 and would serve as a home venue for Basketball Bundesliga club Skyliners Frankfurt and Deutsche Eishockey Liga team Löwen Frankfurt.
The city council has approved the “fundamental decision” to build the arena. Councillors will meet to discuss the matter in February after it has been discussed in parliament. Building permission has already been granted for the arena.
In July, Eintracht Frankfurt revealed that it would be interested in operating the new arena. This came after the City of Frankfurt released a set of reports which deemed the project feasible.
Frankfurt currently lacks a major arena, and the home facilities of Skyliners Frankfurt and Löwen Frankfurt are now considered insufficient. A new 15,000-capacity arena is projected to cost around €260m (£220m/$269m), and the City of Frankfurt has previously said that it would be sensible for it to bear responsibility for construction.
Frankfurt Mayor Mike Josef said: “The fundamental decision now finally creates the basis for starting the planning and implementation. This brings us closer to the actual goal that has been planned for this area for more than 20 years. This is a good signal, especially on the 100th anniversary of New Frankfurt. Sport has always taken place here. Just as the Museumsufer did for culture, this arena will give the sports city of Frankfurt a further boost.”
Gunnar Wöbke, managing partner at Skyliners Frankfurt, added: “This decision is a milestone in the history of the Skyliners. We have been waiting for the construction of a multifunctional hall for over a quarter of a century. One of my biggest dreams in life will come true if the city council also votes yes. We can then look to the future with real optimism again – if the vote is no, there will be no more Bundesliga basketball in Frankfurt from 2032.”
The city council announced in July 2022 that it had selected a site adjacent to Deutsche Bank Park for what at the time was considered to be a potential new 13,500-capacity arena. The plot of land is currently used as a car park.
