Gelsenkirchen: World Cup Host City
City facts: More than 275,000 people call Gelsenkirchen home. Nicknamed the "City of Thousand Fires", it is known for its coal, iron and steel industries. Gelsenkirchen was a host city during the World Cup finals in 1974, along with the 1988 European Championships and the 2000 Champions League Final.
How to get there/get around: The closest airport to Gelsenkirchen is Düsseldorf, approximately 40 km (25 miles) away. To find the best flight deals, search our airfare engine. Keep in mind that the cheapest days to fly are Tuesday and Wednesday.
If you're coming overland, trains can be taken from Essen or Dortmund. The best way to travel across Germany is the World Cup Eurail Pass. This pass allows you flexible days of travel within Germany. Youths under 26 and two or more adults traveling together can also save money. Advantages include not having to deal with traffic or signs in foreign languages, easier navigation from one city to another and increased socialization with other excited World Cup fans!
If you'd rather be on your own schedule, then hiring a car might be a better option. Renting a car in Germany allows you to get off the beaten path and explore more of Germany's varied countryside. Hitting the road can give you a much needed break from other sports enthusiasts and the chance to drive no-holds-barred on the Autobahn!
Trams and buses offer in-city transport.
Who's playing: Argentina, Czech Republic, Ecuador, Mexico, Poland, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, USA
What's the schedule:
Friday, June 9: Poland vs Ecuador Tickets
Monday, June 12: USA vs Czech Republic Tickets
Friday, June 16: Argentina vs Serbia & Montenegro Tickets
Wednesday, June 21: Portugal vs Mexico Tickets
Saturday, July 1: Quarter Final Tickets
Full World Cup Schedule
Stadium information: The FIFA World Cup Stadium Gelsenkirchen is a new stadium that seats almost 50,000 fans. Built to the tune of 191 million euro, the stadium opened in 2001 with rave reviews. The European commission gave the arena its highest star rating, and it is currently home to 70 clubs.
Where to get tickets: You can get tickets to every match played in the World Cup through World Cup Blog! Find tickets by team, grouping, individual game or city. Buy World Cup tickets for matches in Gelsenkirchen.
What else to do: If you need a break from the soccer madness, Gelsenkirchen boasts a number of attractions including the Ruhr Zoo, a science park, and the Horst Castle, built in the 1500s. Bahnhofsstrasse is the main shopping center, while Musiktheater Gelsenkirchen also offers a selection of restaurants and entertainment. For those that just want to relax, dedicated parks make up almost a third of the city.
Where to stay: You can find accommodation throughout the country with World Cup Blog's hotel database. It allows you to search multiple sites at once for the best deals on rooms in Germany. Use the search box in the right column, or find hotel deals in Gelsenkirchen. Hostels more your style? Check out these hostels in Germany.
How to keep in touch: If you own a mobile phone with a removable SIM card, you can buy a pre-paid German SIM card. You can find out your local German number before you arrive, and get free incoming calls while in the country. If you don't have a phone that will work, look into renting a German cell phone, which costs less than you think!
Wireless hot-spots and internet cafes can be found around the city. Locations include Altstadt Cafe and Internet Point GbR.
How to protect yourself: Many insurance carriers do not provide coverage overseas. Beat the odds and make the most of your holidays with affordable travel health insurance. In case of trip cancellation, you can also recover your costs with trip protection insurance.
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