Accessibility
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UEFA EURO 2024 is all about people! It’s our aim to celebrate diversity and inclusion and ensure all fans can be part of the celebrations. This page will help you plan for your EURO 2024 trip. If you're a disabled fan or require additional support, make sure to check this page frequently for updates.
🌍 Accessible travel to Gelsenkirchen
To ensure that people with disabilities can discover Gelsenkirchen without any worries, visit the dedicated accessible mobility page on the official city website (link available in German only). Wheelchair users, people with a walking disability, hearing impairment or visual impairment will find answers to questions about a host of topics.
There are multiple accessible travel options to reach Gelsenkirchen:
By train 🚆
Gelsenkirchen Central Station is step-free. There are multiple lifts for you to get on and off each platform.
🚨 Don’t forget: All ticket holders have access to discounted DB train tickets and international rail passes.
Booking a DB train ticket
- Wheelchair spaces on trains must be booked in advance
- It’s recommended to select a connection with sufficient transfer time
- DB have a dedicated Mobility Service Centre (MSZ) to support you with your planning. They can also organise assistance for boarding, transferring or getting off a train
Mobility Service Centre (MSZ)
Phone: +49 (0) 030 65212888
E-mail: msz@deutschebahn.com
Onboard DB trains and at train stations
Trains are generally accessible for fans with limited mobility; carriage doors are wide enough to fit wheelchairs and trains are equipped with dedicated wheelchair spaces.
- You can pre-book your wheelchair space in advance for long-distance trains such as ICE, IC and EC services.
- Equipment such as walking aids can be carried free of charge.
- At larger train stations, you can request a wheelchair should you require it.
If you require additional assistance, make sure you inform your airline in advance. Visit the dedicated mobility and accessibility pages on the Düsseldorf (DUS) airport website or the Münster Osnabrück (FMO) airport website for information on arrivals and departures. It is best to do this at least 48 hours before you start your journey to allow plenty of time for arrangements to be made.
Accessible parking is available in the districts of Altstadt and Buer, as well as by the Fan Zone and the Arena AufSchalke. More information will be provided closer to the tournament.
Accessible travel guide 🧑🏼🦽
The German National Tourist Board has a dedicated guide on accessible travel throughout the country that can help you plan your EURO 2024 trip.
For general Gelsenkirchen travel guidance, head over to our travel page.
🏙️ Accessible travel around Gelsenkirchen
In addition to accessible public transport, you can request accessible taxi rides using the local taxi provider for wheelchair users. Order your ride online or via the phone number on their website.
⚽ Accessible travel to Arena AufSchalke
⚠️ Important to know
The VELTINS-Arena tram and bus stop is NOT accessible as it can only be reached by stairs. Get off at Willy-Brandt-Allee instead, located around 700m from the entrances. An accessible shuttle bus to Entrance C will be available there.
🚇 Tram line: 302 (towards Buer Rathaus from Gelsenkirchen city centre) and 302 (towards BO-Laer O-Werk or BO-Langendreer from Buer-Mitte)
🏁 Get off at tram stop: Willy-Brandt-Allee (Station VELTINS-Arena is NOT accessible)
⌚ Travel time: approx. 16 minutes from Gelsenkirchen city centre and approx. 5 minutes from Buer-Mitte
🚶 Distance to stadium: approx. 700m via a signposted accessible path or via shuttle bus to Entrance C
🚍 Shuttle bus: An accessible shuttle bus will run between Willy-Brandt-Allee and Entrance C. After the match the shuttle will ensure an accessible journey back to the tram stop Willy-Brandt-Allee from where you will be able to travel back to the city center.
⚠️ The closest stop to the stadium, VELTINS-Arena, can only be reached by stairs and is therefore not accessible.
🎟️ Pre-booked parking ticket required
The accessible parking area at Arena AufSchalke is located at Parkallee. Fans with accessible parking tickets can use the car park from 3 hours before kick-off until 2 hours after the final whistle.
Please note that all cars need to have a valid EURO 2024 parking pass. Parking passes were offered as part of the application process for accessible tickets. Due to heavy matchday traffic, we recommend arriving as early as possible.
🚕 Taxi stand on Parkallee
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🧑🦽 Distance to stadium: 350m to Entrance C (accessible, but slightly uphill)
❓FAQs
The Arena AufSchalke is built on a plattform which is why step-free entry is only possible via Entrance C, which you can reach via the Charly Neumann Bridge.
If using the walkway from the public transport station Willy-Brandt-Allee, there is another exclusive entrance for accessibility ticket holders that provides access to the stadium via a long ramp (6% steepness).
To get from Fan Zone Nordsternpark to the Arena AufSchalke, take the Shuttle 2 ‘Arena AufSchalke’ to the Willy-Brandt-Allee tram stop near the stadium. From there, you can take the signposted 700m path to the stadium or an accessible shuttle bus to Entrance C.
⚠️ Get help for uneven paths
The recommended accessible routes are not completely flat. This includes the route from Parkallee to Entrance C via the Charly Neumann Bridge and the route from the accessible Willy-Brandt-Allee tram stop to the stadium entrance. If you need help, the volunteers will be on hand to assist you.
🏟️ Accessible facilities at Arena AufSchalke
There is 1 Accessibility Info Point in the stadium. It is merged with the Spectator Info Point and located at the container next to stairwell 3 (TH3).
If you have any questions related to accessibility in the stadium or if you need support to set up the audio-descriptive commentary, the accessibility volunteers are happy to help.
Zimmer frames can be stored in the dedicated area at stairwell 3 (TH3) under the stairs. The accessibility volunteers are happy to help you store and secure it.
Accessible toilets are located behind Blocks O and T.
There is no need to use a lift to access the Wheelchair User seats, as Entrance C is on the same level. Fans with Easy Access tickets in the upper tier (block 24-28) should use the lift at stairwell 3 (TH3).
Concession stands are easily reachable and selected stands close to the accessible seating areas will have dedicated priority lanes.
These lanes will be open for everyone to use, but accessibility volunteers will be on hand to ensure accessible ticket holders receive priority service when they arrive.
⚽ Stadium services for fans with accessibility needs
All tickets will be mobile tickets. Our ticketing team will provide updates by email in the lead-up to EURO 2024. For more information, please visit the ticketing FAQs.
There are two types of accessibility tickets available for EURO 2024 – Wheelchair User tickets and Easy Access tickets. A complimentary companion ticket is available during the ticketing process. For more details, visit the Accessibility tickets FAQs.
A team of friendly staff and volunteers, proudly sponsored by ERGO, will be on-site to assist you with directions and answer any questions.
There will also be more than 25 dedicated accessibility volunteers at the stadium! You can identify them by their bibs that display an accessibility icon.
For EURO 2024, audio-descriptive commentary for fans who are blind or partially sighted will be available at all 51 matches.
For the first time, it is available directly on the UEFA EURO 2024 app! No need to pick up a device at the stadium – simply bring your fully charged mobile phone with the app already installed and your own pair of headphones:
- Open the UEFA EURO 2024 app
- Tap on the “More” menu
- Tap on “Audio-descriptive commentary” in the “At the event” section
- Tap on the match you want to listen to (available 15 minutes before kick-off)
- Enjoy!
The service requires only a minimum of data and in some stadiums, free Wi-Fi is available. To recharge your phone during the match, you can bring a small power bank, no larger than your phone. If you have any questions or issues with audio-descriptive commentary, stop by the Accessibility Info Point at the stadium (see map above).
You can also use this service on the app at the official EURO 2024 Fan Zones and Public Viewing sites. Just tune in like you would at the stadium!
Languages: German + language(s) of the two teams playing*
*For Croatian, Georgian, Serbian, Slovak, Slovene and Ukrainian spectators, the service will be offered in English.
A wheelchair push service will be offered for guests with limited mobility who did not come in their own wheelchair and need help reaching their seats after the security checks.
The service is available for everyone in need. Please reach out for the accessibility volunteers near the entrances – they're happy to help!
If you need to bring any special equipment for medical reasons, please get in touch with UEFA ticketing customer service to request an exemption. This can be done as of 1 June and at least 48 hours before your match. On matchday, make sure you carry prescription evidence on you.
The same principle applies for fans coming with an assistance dog. These are allowed in all 10 stadiums. There are specific seating locations for fans coming with assistance dogs, which include a more protected area for the dog. Fans bringing an assistance dog should also contact the UEFA ticketing customer service in advance.
Sensory bags will be available for spectators who have sensory needs/non-visible disabilities. A limited number of sensory bags, equipped with noise cancelling headphones, fidget tools, and verbal cue cards, will be available for guests to use at no additional cost. You can find the sensory bags at the Accessibility Info Points (see map above).
🎉 EURO 2024 Festival accessibility
The EURO 2024 Festival will be in full swing throughout June and July.
❓Festival accessibility FAQs
Please use Entrances 2 and 3 to access the Fan Zone.
Many of the activities at Fan Zone Nordsternpark are accessible via wheelchair ramps. The Fan Zone will also feature an elevated platform for people with disabilities, which can be accessed via a ramp.
Our volunteers will be happy to assist you at the Fan Zone entrances and on the grounds.
Yes, there are accessible toilets at the Fan Zone.