Velodrom (Berlin)

The Velodrom (velodrome) is an indoor track cycling arena, in the Prenzlauer Berg, locality of Berlin, Germany. Holding up to 12,000 people, it was also Berlin's largest concert venue, until the opening of O2 World in 2008.

Velodrom
LocationBerlin, Germany
Coordinates52°31′51″N 13°27′03″E
OwnerUnternehmensgruppe Gegenbauer
OperatorVelomax
Capacity12,000 (concerts)
6,887 (tennis)
4,911 (press conference)
Construction
Built1992–1997
Opened1997
Construction cost138,000,000 EUR[1]
ArchitectDominique Perrault
Structural engineerOve Arup & Partners
Tenants
Six Days of Berlin (1999-present)
UCI Track Cycling World Championships (1999, 2020)
2017 UEC European Track Championships
2014 European Aquatics Championships

It is part of a larger complex, which includes a swimming pool as well, built in the course of the unsuccessful Berlin application for the 2000 Summer Olympics. This project is related to the German reunification and the wish of a city, Berlin, about to become the capital, to be nominated for the Olympic Games.

It replaced the former Werner-Seelenbinder-Halle, which was demolished in 1993.

It mainly hosts indoor sporting events, trade shows and concerts.

Architecture

The building was designed by French architect Dominique Perrault who won an international design competition in 1992 and was awarded the German Award of Architecture, second prize for the Velodrome and the Olympic Swimming pool . The site chosen is at the intersection of urban elements and of different networks. In order to resolve the conjunction of these two systems, the buildings which house the velodrome and the Olympic Swimming Pool vanish from sight. The idea was to create an orchard of apple trees with two buildings set into the ground, one round and the other rectangular, covered with a wire gauze, which shimmer in the sunlight and appear to be stretches of water more than buildings.

The project includes

  • a multi-use velodrome: cycling, athletics, tennis, equestrianism, sports education, concerts
  • a swimming pool: 2 Olympic pools, Olympic diving platform, pools for diving training, handicapped, children
  • multisport hall

The arena is famous for its steel roof construction – with a diameter of 142 meters, it has Europe's largest steel roof.

Notable events

In 1998, Janet Jackson performed there during her The Velvet Rope Tour.

In 1999, it hosted the UCI Track Cycling World Championships and has been the site of the annual Six Days of Berlin since then.

In 2002 and 2008, Kylie Minogue performed her Fever Tour and KylieX2008 tours.

In 2004, Britney Spears performed a sold-out show of The Onyx Hotel Tour.

In 2014, the Velodrom has been the site of 32nd European Aquatics Championships.

In 2017, cycling European Track Championship took place.

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See also

References
  1. Velodrome homepage: facts Archived 2012-02-16 at the Wayback Machine (in German)
Preceded by
Vélodrome de Bordeaux
Bordeaux		 UCI Track Cycling World Championships
Venue
1999		 Succeeded by
Manchester Velodrome
Manchester
Preceded by
BGŻ Arena
Pruszków		 UCI Track Cycling World Championships
Venue
2020		 Succeeded by
Ashgabat Velodrome
Ashgabat
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