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 Interactive map of Sachs-Stadion | |
| Full name | Riedel Bau Arena im Sachs-Stadion |
|---|---|
| Former names | Willy-Sachs-Stadion (1936–2021) |
| Location | Schweinfurt, Germany |
| Coordinates | 50°3′4.6″N10°12′10.9″E / 50.051278°N 10.203028°E /50.051278; 10.203028 |
| Owner | City of Schweinfurt |
| Capacity | 12,000 (2,000 seated)[1] |
| Field size | 105 m × 68 m |
| Surface | Grass |
| Construction | |
| Built | 1934 to 1936 |
| Opened | 23 July 1936 |
| Renovated | 2001, 2014, 2025 |
| Construction cost | 1 millionRM[2] |
| Architect | Paul Bonatz |
| Tenants | |
| 1. FC Schweinfurt 05 TSV Großbardorf (2008–09) | |
Sachs-Stadion (formerly known asWilly-Sachs-Stadion, for sponsorship reasonsRiedel Bau Arena im Sachs-Stadion) is a multi-functionalfootballstadium inSchweinfurt,Germany. Since 1936, it has been home stadium to the German football club1. FC Schweinfurt 05.[3]
The stadium, built by German architectPaul Bonatz, was a donation from local industrialistWilly Sachs to the City of Schweinfurt. As the club's patron, Willy Sachs designated a privileged right of use of all facilities for 1. FC Schweinfurt 05.[3] Leading politicians ofNazi Germany attended the opening ceremony on 23 July 1936.[2][4][5]Three days later, the newWilly-Sachs-Stadion saw its first game, a 2–2 draw between 1. FC Schweinfurt 05 and1935 German championFC Schalke 04.[3]
The stadium has been top-tier venue all the time between1936 and1963, and was home stadium to second-tier football for many of the following years, most recently during the2001–02 season. In addition, from1939 on Schweinfurt 05 played a larger number ofGerman Cup matches at the stadium.[6][7]Attendance record of the stadium was 22,500 at a friendly between Schweinfurt 05 and1. FC Kaiserslautern in 1954.[8]
The sports venue hosted the 2ndFistball World Championships in 1972 as well as theFistball European Championships in 2012. During the2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, the stadium served as training ground for theTunisia national football team. In the2008–09 season, nearby football clubTSV Großbardorf had to move to Schweinfurt due toRegionalliga legislations on stadium capacity.The sports complex regularly is venue forathletics competitions and championships on national level. Occasionally, the neighbouringU.S. Army Garrison, located in Schweinfurt until 2014, had used the stadium formilitary parades.
Today the stadium is listed as historicmonument and is thus subject topreservation orders.[9][10]As part of the SchweinfurtLest we forget initiative, in 2001 the local press includingSüddeutsche Zeitung and author Werner Skrentny initiated a campaign to rename theWilly-Sachs-Stadion due to Sachs'Nazi affiliation.[11]The campaign met with low approval among the general public.[12]In June 2021, however, the Schweinfurt city council finally decided to change the name of the stadium intoSachs-Stadion, in recognition of the value of the formerFichtel & Sachs company (now part ofZF Friedrichshafen) for the development of Schweinfurt.[13][14]In the2025–26 3. Liga season, Schweinfurt's venue was renamed toRiedel Bau Arena im Sachs-Stadion for sponsorship reasons.[15]
The stadium complex consists of the main field with a capacity of 12,000 (the actualSachs-Stadion) and several additional courts for training and youth matches, including anartificial turf pitch.[16] The main stadium features a coveredgrandstand with 860 seats, along with 1,140 uncovered seats and additional standing areas around the remaining perimeter, which is lined with two rows oflinden trees.The football field is flanked by varioustrack and field facilities, and a classicalMarathon gate.Premises at the stadium include changing rooms for players, coaches, and referees. Speaker cabins and a press area are available in the grandstand.
To meet2nd Bundesliga regulations, in 2001 terracing has been renovated, and the stadium was equipped withfloodlight masts.[17] In addition, Schweinfurt'slarge industry contributed an electronicscoreboard, that was replaced in 2022 by a 30 sqmLED screen.[18] Due to increased security standards, wavebreakers had to be installed on the standing rooms in 2014 to safeguard the full capacity.[19] In 2019, the grandstand was outfitted with new green and white seats that represent the colours of 1. FC Schweinfurt 05.[20]In order to fulfill the DFB's requirements for FC Schweinfurt 05's 2025/26 third division season, the City of Schweinfurt and the club financed anunder-soil heating system for the pitch, new LED floodlights, and the expansion of seating capacity to a total of 2,000 seats.
