The Mercedes-Benz Arena is the home of the Stuttgart Bundesliga team and traditional football club VfB Stuttgart. Plans exist to convert the former Gottlieb-Daimler Stadium into a multifunctional football arena from mid 2009.  The existing curve seats and the running track will give way to newly constructed straight stands, moving the fans closer to the pitch. There will be space for 55,000 spectators in the Arena following the conversion, which is due for completion by the end of 2011.

The most striking feature of the stadium is the steel cable construction linking the membrane roof, which stretches over the entire spectator seating area. This roof will be retained after the conversion.

The Mercedes-Benz Arena. Photo: Stuttgart Marketing

The former Gottlieb-Daimler Stadium formed the focus of international attention during the 2006 football World Cup Championships. Millions of spectators followed the group and second round matches, as well as one of the highlights of the entire World Cup series, the 3rd place deciding match in which the German national side beat Portugal to a rapturous reception from the home crowd, winning the team the epithet "World Champions of the Heart".

But the Mercedes-Benz Arena offers more than just space for football matches. The stadium provides an ideal venue for large scale events such as pop concerts and church congresses.