Parkstadion
Stadium Former multi-purpose Gelsenkirchen stadium, Schalke's old ground
Parkstadion in Gelsenkirchen served as FC Schalke 04’s former home and hosted major matches and concerts; its place in local sports history draws football historians and older fans.
Parkstadion was a multi-purpose stadium in Gelsenkirchen, North Rhine-Westphalia, that served as the primary home ground for FC Schalke 04 for several decades. The venue opened in the early 1970s and hosted domestic football matches and other sporting and cultural events through the late 20th century.
Following the opening of a new covered arena in Gelsenkirchen in the early 2000s, Parkstadion was replaced for major club fixtures and has since been decommissioned for top-tier football use. The site remains part of the city’s sporting history rather than an active major-league venue today.
The stadium is located within the city of Gelsenkirchen and was part of the municipal sports infrastructure for the region.
- Football history: Served as the home stadium of FC Schalke 04 until the club moved to the Arena AufSchalke (Veltins-Arena) in the early 2000s, after which the Parkstadion ceased to host top-level matches regularly.
How to Get to Parkstadion #
Gelsenkirchen is reachable by regional train from Essen or Dortmund. The former Parkstadion site is in the Schalke district; use local buses or a 20-30 minute walk from Gelsenkirchen Hauptbahnhof. For Schalke history, visit the Schalke 04 Arena (Veltins-Arena) and the club museum nearby.
Tips for Visiting Parkstadion #
- The Parkstadion was demolished in 2009 - look for plaques and local museum exhibits in Gelsenkirchen that document its history.
- Visit the nearby Stadionstraße and Schalke 04 museum to feel the sporting legacy.
- Ask older fans in Gelsenkirchen about memorable matches - oral histories here are vivid.
Best Time to Visit Parkstadion #
There is no stadium to tour - visit surrounding Schalke 04 sites and local museums for history.
Weather & Climate near Parkstadion #
Parkstadion's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 0°C to 23°C. Moderate rainfall (877 mm/year), distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 5°C and lows of 0°C. Moderate rainfall (77 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
Comfort
Weather
February
February is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of 0°C. Moderate rainfall (56 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
Comfort
Weather
March
March is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (70 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
Comfort
Weather
April
April is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (57 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
May
May is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (67 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
Comfort
Weather
June
June is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 12°C. Regular rainfall (84 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
Comfort
Weather
July
July is the warmest month with highs of 23°C and lows of 14°C. Regular rainfall (80 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
Comfort
Weather
August
August is mild with highs of 23°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (74 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
Comfort
Weather
September
September is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (77 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
October
October is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 7°C. Moderate rainfall (70 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
Comfort
Weather
November
November is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (79 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
Comfort
Weather
December
December is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of 2°C. The wettest month with 86 mm of rain and mostly overcast skies.