The predecessor to today’s modern World Cup stadium was the Müngersdorfer Stadion, the only completely covered stadium in Germany when it was built in 1975. Today’s ground is home to FC Köln.

On June 27, 2000, the city council of Köln announced their decision to reconstruct Stadion Köln as a modern, purpose-built football stadium.

• On June 13, 2001, the committee opted in favour of the design by architects GMP. von Gerkan, Marg und Partner/Aachen.Hamburg.
• Work began after the last FC Köln home game of 2001.
• The stadium continued to operate throughout the construction phase
• Construction was completed ahead of schedule in early 2004. The stadium was officially inaugurated with the Germany v Belgium friendly international on 31 March 2004
• The owner and constructor is Sportstätten GmbH, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the city.

Financing:
€25.5m public funding, €84,5m from private investors.