German 2. Bundesliga football club, SpVgg Greuther Fürth, has presented stadium redevelopment plans that intend to be completed in time for its 125th anniversary in 2028.
Greuther Fürth has played at Sportpark Ronhof | Thomas Sommer since the stadium opened in 1910. The stadium’s last major redevelopment saw the opening of a new main stand ahead of the 2018-19 season and the latest project will focus on replacing the stand opposite it.
While the current stand seats 3,000 fans, the new structure intends to up this to 4,000, increasing capacity at Sportpark Ronhof to approximately 17,500.
The tendering process is due to begin later this year, with construction earmarked to start in 2026. As with the construction of the new main stand, a focus is being placed on usage outside of matchdays for the planned structure.
Greuther Fürth intends to incorporate a medical centre covering over 2,000 square metres, as well as an innovation centre for startup companies, primarily from the health technology sector. The medical centre will offer orthopedic, radiology, cardiology, general medicine and physiotherapy services.
Tobias Auer, director of stadium operations at Greuther Fürth, said: “Everyone will benefit from the medical centre, because we have already made it clear in discussions that the care of statutory health insurance patients is particularly important to us.
“With iQ-Move and Evidia, we already have the first partners firmly on board, and we are in final discussions with many more. With our partner ZOLLHOF, we are transforming the stadium into an innovation centre where sports and health tech startups can test and perfect their products.”
Greuther Fürth said sustainability will also be a key element of the project, harnessing modern design developments to significantly reduce both noise and light emissions. The new stand will also add a further 40 wheelchair spaces to the stadium.
“The new grandstand will, of course, also mean a significant improvement in quality for all stadium visitors on match days,” said Auer. “Whether through improved kiosk and restroom facilities, or a relaxation of the current stadium circulation behind the stand.
“We want to get everyone on board as best we can and have involved the relevant departments of the City of Fürth from the very beginning. We have also established a fan working group again and, what is particularly important to us, sought dialogue with local residents, informing them about the current planning status.
“With this open and transparent exchange, we have already had very positive experiences with the modernisation of the main stand.”
Commenting on the likely cost of the scheme, Greuther Fürth managing director, Holger Schwiewagner, said: “It is clear that this project, also due to developments in the construction industry, will be even more financially significant than the main stand.
“Therefore, with this innovative concept, we sought a path that would allow us to create added value together with strong partners who would then also cover the financing. We will not be alone in this, however, as we have great partners on board who will shoulder the project with us.
“But it is also clear that we will only take the final step if we can afford it.”
