Stadium travel
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This page covers matchday travel to and from Arena AufSchalke. For general information on how to get around Gelsenkirchen, visit our dedicated page.
36 Hour Travel Pass
🌿Match ticket holders are entitled to a 36 Hour Travel Pass for the entire VRR (Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Ruhr) and VRS (Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Sieg) networks at no additional cost. The pass is valid from 06:00 on matchday until 18:00 the following day.
Make sure to find your recommended route to the stadium so you can enjoy the pre-match buzz and join other fans as you head to the game. 🏟️
The best way to get to Arena AufSchalke is via public transport, not by car. You also have the option of using shuttle buses. Cycling is another great alternative.
Your entrance matters!
🚪 Before you travel to the stadium, make sure to check your match ticket for the entrance that is assigned to your seat.
Depending on your chosen method of transport, you’ll arrive at different points around the stadium. Don’t worry if you don’t arrive at your designated entrance: You can simply walk around the stadium to the entrance marked on your ticket– the entrances are only a few minutes’ walk apart.🚶♂️
🚊 Travel to Arena AufSchalke
⚽Don’t miss a kick
Minimise the impact of potential transport delays by travelling early. Gates open 3 hours before kick-off.
By public transport
📍Station: Gelsenkirchen Central Station
🚊 Tram line: 302 towards Buer Rathaus (departs from the Central Station underground station)
🏁 Get off at tram stop: VELTINS-Arena
⌚ Travel time: approx. 16 minutes
🚶♂️Distance to the stadium: a few minutes’ walk, depending on your designated entrance
🚍 Shuttle bus: Shuttle 2 Arena AufSchalke
🚏 Shuttle bus stop Nordsternpark: at Kranefeldstraße, near Fan Zone Nordsternpark
🏁 Shuttle bus goes directly to the stadium
⌚ Travel time: Approx. 15 minutes
🚶♂️ Distance to the stadium: a few minutes’ walk depending on your designated entrance
📍Station: Gelsenkirchen Central Station, Heinrich-König-Platz or Musiktheater
🚊 Tram line: 302 towards Buer Rathaus
🏁 Get off at tram stop: VELTINS-Arena
⌚ Travel time: approx. 16 minutes
🚶♂️ Distance to the stadium: a few minutes’ walk depending on your designated entrance
📍Station: Buer Rathaus
🚊Tram line: 302 towards BO-Laer O-Werk or BO-Langendreer
🏁 Get off at tram stop: VELTINS-Arena
⌚ Travel time: approx. 5 minutes
🚶♂️ Distance to the stadium: a few minutes’ walk depending on your designated entrance
🚈 Regional or S-Bahn train from Düsseldorf Airport via Duisburg Central Station or Essen Central Station
➡️ Exit at Gelsenkirchen Central Station
↪️ At Central station change to tram line 302
🚊 Tram line: 302 towards Buer Rathaus (departs from the Central Station underground station)
🏁 Get off at tram stop: VELTINS-Arena
⌚ Total travel time: 35-50 minutes to Gelsenkirchen Central Station + approx. 16 minutes to the stadium
🚶♂️Distance to the stadium: a few minutes’ walk depending on your designated entrance
🚴♂️🚕🚗 By bicycle, taxi or car
🚴♂️Starting from the centre of Buer-Mitte and Gelsenkirchen city centre
➡️ Follow the signposted “North-South Route West” to Arena AufSchalke
⌚Travel time: approx. 10 minutes from ZOB (central bus station) Buer-Mitte and approx. 25 minutes from Gelsenkirchen Central Station
🅿️ Bicycle parking facilities near Entrances A and B
🚲 Bicycle rental station “Arenapark” (Metropolrad Ruhr) at Parkallee
📍 Taxi drop-off point: Parkallee
🚶♂️ Distance to the stadium: a few minutes’ walk depending on your designated entrance
🚕 Entry point: Bus turning loop on Parkallee
- Travelling westbound on the A2, take exit 6 (Gelsenkirchen-Buer), then take the first exit from the roundabout and follow signs for the stadium.
- Travelling eastbound on the A2, take exit 7 (Herten) and follow signs to Gelsenkirchen and the stadium.
- Travelling eastbound on the A42, take exit 17 (Gelsenkirchen-Schalke) and follow signs for the stadium.
- Travelling westbound on the A42, take exit 16 (Gelsenkirchen-Zentrum) and follow signs for the stadium.
- If you are travelling to the Arena AufSchalke via the A52/B224, take exit 42 (Gelsenkirchen-Buer-West) and follow signs for the stadium.
Note: Travelling to the stadium by car is not recommended. Matchday travel will significantly increase your journey time.
If you are taken by car to the stadium or are picked up after the end of the match, please use only the designated drop-off/pick-up zone, which is approx. 21 minutes walk from the Arena AufSchalke.
The zone is located at Emil-Zimmermann-Allee 28, 45891 Gelsenkirchen. The best way to reach the zone is via the A2 exit no. 6 Gelsenkirchen-Buer.
🚗 Stadium parking
Public parking at Arena AufSchalke is now available to pre-book for €24 per match on a first come, first served basis.
Just keep in mind that driving to the stadium is generally not recommended and we strongly encourage the use of public transport on matchday. If you do drive, share a car with friends and family to make the most of this option and ensure you arrive together.
- Spaces are limited, so book early if you’re planning to drive.
- Pre-booking your spot is mandatory and no parking passes will be available to purchase on matchday. Cars without a parking pass will be turned away.
- Please note parking spaces may not be fully accessible. Dedicated accessible parking has been made available to Wheelchair and Easy Access ticket holders.
EURO 2024 climate fund
🌿 €5 from each booking will be donated to the EURO 2024 climate fund supporting climate protection projects carried out by amateur football clubs in Germany. More information is available on this page.
⚠️ City centre traffic will be extremely busy and it may take you much longer than expected to drive to the stadium. Set off at least 3 hours before kick-off.
The stadium has limited parking for coaches or mini buses, which can be booked by fans or by travel agencies. Coach parking passes are free but must be requested in advance via the dedicated online portal. Requests can be submitted until one day before the match.
Don’t drive to the stadium without a coach parking pass as no passes will be available to purchase on the day of your match.
- Your coach parking pass will show your dedicated parking location.
- Please print your pass and be ready to present it to staff onsite.
Maximum vehicle length:
Coaches: 14 m
Mini buses: 7.5 m
Accessible journey ♿
Check out the dedicated accessibility page for accessible stadium travel information.
Note: The VELTINS-Arena tram and bus stop is NOT accessible for wheelchair users. Get off at Willy-Brandt-Allee instead, located around 700m from the entrances.
👋 After the match
To ensure a smooth return journey after the game:
All trams and shuttle buses will continue to run until around 2 hours after the final whistle from tram stop VELTINS-Arena:
- Tram line 302 from the VELTINS-Arena tram stop ➡️ Gelsenkirchen Central Station and Buer Rathaus
- Tram line 107 ➡️ Essen Central Station
- Demand-based: shuttle buses from parking area P6 near the VELTINS-Arena tram stop ➡️ Essen Central Station and Gelsenkirchen Central Station
In addition to the regular service of the regional trains, special trains run from Gelsenkirchen Central Station until late at night. Further information can be found in the DB Navigator, on the VRR website or in the VRR App.
Fan Meeting Point City after the match:
If you do not want to travel home straight after the match, you can also take the 302 tram to tram stop Heinrich-König-Platz - one stop before Gelsenkirchen Central Station. Here you can finish your football night at the Fan Meeting Point City.
Fan Zone after the match:
📺 If you want to watch the second Round of 16 match of the day Spain vs Georgia (21:00) on the big screen head to the Fan Zone Nordsternpark.
Shuttle bus (parking area P6 near the tram station VELTINS-Arena) ➡️ Fan Zone