A casual observer could be excused for thinking that Hertha’s average attendances of over 45,000 appears pretty high after all they are higher than most English Premier League clubs and solid mid table when it comes to the Bundesliga as well. However, the problem lies in the sheer size of the Olympiastadion. The architecture may be truly magnificent but it can hold upwards of 74,000 spectators and so, with the average attendance some areas of the stadium inevitably remain empty. The average percent capacity of the ground is just 61%. It’s not the number or enthusiasm of fans that attracts comment as they are pretty vocal as I have shown in many, many previous posts. |
Although the wall came down twenty six years ago the population of Berlin has still, even now, not reached the levels it was in 1939. Thanks for the History lesson I hear you say but what’s has this got to do with Berlin’s football?
Now there is a different type of influx in the form of waves of new “start-up companies” especially in high tech areas opening in Berlin. This is great for employment in the city and is something it really does need. However although this surge of young, individualistic newcomers into the city may have, and will continue to, swell its population even those who do have an interest in football will bring with them loyalties to other teams from their home regions and are unlikely to start following the “old Lady”. People do not change loyalties so easily when it comes to their teams and nor should they to be fair. Combine this with the glory hunters following the likes of Bayern and the increasing population of Berlin does little to swell the ranks of the Hertha fan base.
There has been much chatter in the media and social media in the lead up to, and following the international break about Michael Preetz’s thinking out loud about an exit from the Olympiastadion. The the current lease in the venu I believe expires in June 2017. The talk has been of a brand new albeit smaller stadium (that can be filled week in week out) without a running track between fans and the pitch. I believe the development would also be incorporating hotel and conference facilities.
I’ll lay my cards on the table here – I love the Olympiastadion. You may be able to fill a smaller stadium and yes, you would be closer to the pitch it’s true but, no modern stadium could dream of carrying the same gravitas held by the Olympiastadion. The atmosphere in being able to wander around building this magnificent building before matches adds so much weight and character to the event. Even little things like being able to walk around the concourse and look down on the assembling crowd is wonderful. In my humble opinion the Olympiastadion is our home, where Hertha belongs and has done for over fifty years.
It would appear I am not totally alone in this as you can see.
If I put my misgivings about leaving the Olympiastadion to one side for a moment and look at the prospect of building a new one there are still problems.
- With any property development the key is: location, location and location. Just where could they build this new stadium? The current site is comparatively central and has really good transport links via S-Bahn and U-Bahn. Tempelhofer field is just not going to happen and there has been talk of it being built further out in Brandenburg somewhere. Out in the sticks? Really??
- Second to location we have: money, money and money! Where is the money coming from? Some of the figures being bandied about are two to three hundred million Euros - truly astronomical numbers. Berlin City is not going to help with a project like this and why should they to be fair. Hertha has had a great season in 2015-16 but it has been just one season so far. What investor is going to take a risk like this without somebody paying through the nose – probably Hertha
In summary do I care about those empty seats? No is the answer. I am there, the Hertha faithful are there and the Ultras generate a cracking atmosphere even on those days with disappointing attendances. It leaves plenty of room for casual visiting football fans and tourists who are potential new Hertha fans to come and see what the Bundesliga has to offer. In my opinion, if you don’t like seeing empty seats then don’t look at them.