When the Olympiastadion in Berlin is full to capacity it is a thing of beauty. The origins of the architecture may be from a darker time in German history but the designs lent heavily on those of antiquity. The Greeks and the Romans knew a thing or two about building to impress and the parallels between this stadium and the Colosseum in Rome are hard not to notice.
| 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. |  |
Eye brows are raised by the empty seats rather than the Hertha faithful who turn up week in, week out. This particularly attracts comment when Hertha is the only 1.Bundesliga club representing Germany’s capital city which has a population of approximately four million and by far the largest city in the country. Needless to say it is not quite as simple as it first appears.
Berlin may be the capital but it was devastated during WW2 and many of its inhabitants were either killed or fled. Most other cities in Germany also suffered massive damage during this time but Berlin remained divided to varying degrees for over 40 years and this long division did little to encourage people to stay so many native Berliners continued to leave.
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?
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?
The replacement of the city’s population that has occurred has mostly been brought about by the large numbers of people who, for a variety of reasons, have moved into the city rather than being “true natives”. For some Berlin has been seen as the home of musicians, artists and alternative culture and for many it still is. During the days of the wall this was perhaps fed by the exemption from service in the military for young people. Perhaps this is now starting transform into colonies of hipsters in certain areas of the city but that is perhaps a story for another time.
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.
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.
Where does this leave Hertha BSC?
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.
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.
Apologies to the owner of the photograph above but it was all over social media following the Hannover match and I have no idea as to its origins. A great capture whoever you are – thanks!
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.
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
So, if it were to happen we may end up out in the country next to a cow shed somewhere having signed a pact with the devil to finance it (assuming they could find a devil daft enough to agree to a deal).
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.
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.
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