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The Berlin Olympic Stadium has hosted its fair share of momentous, epoch-making events, but 9 July 2006 is destined to eclipse everything that has gone before. A global audience of well over a billion is set to follow the 2006 FIFA World Cup Final live on TV.

American sprinter Jesse Owens won four gold medals here at the 1936 Olympic Games. Today, one of the avenues leading to the ground and a VIP lounge bear the great runner's name. The stadium has staged the German Cup Final since 1985.

Reconstruction at a cost of €242m began in the summer of 2000. A spectacular gala opening ceremony including an appearance by world-renowned star P!NK took place on 31 July 2004. Hertha BSC Berlin contested the first match at the facelifted arena against Besiktas Istanbul on 1 August. The following month, FIFA World Cup holders Brazil met Germany in the inaugural international.

Reconstruction had to be carried out with the greatest of care due to the listed status of the structure, originally designed by architect Werner March and built between 1934-36 for around 42 million Reichsmark.

The new stadium incorporates VIP and Sky executive boxes, Business Seats, a Hertha BSC megastore, underground warm-up facility (including a 110m running track and long-jump pit) and an underground car park. The rebuilding project was primarily aimed at optimising functionality and spectator comfort. For example, practically all the 74,200 seats are covered, whereas previously only 27,000 seats were protected from the elements.

5,000 dimmable fluorescent lamps, an ultra-modern PA system and dazzle-free floodlighting provided by a single brilliant band along the front edge of the roof permit a wide variety of exciting atmospheric effects.

The new roof, a vast oval interrupted as before by the listed Marathon Gate, provides a delicate contrast to the robust muscularity of the historic tectonics. The lightweight cantilever construction is borne by an intricate web of 20 beam supports ranging over the gallery, and 132 steel pillars. The roof is literally the crowning glory of a harmonious solution incorporating past, present and future.

Financing:
€196m from the federal government, €46m loan to the Olympiastadion Asset Holding Company mbH, guaranteed by the state of Berlin.