2.Bundesliga: "The stadium does not meet the expectations of the club" (S. Kuntz, Kaiserslautern)

"The stadium does not meet the expectations of the club and it's not just a matter of size," said Stefan Kuntz, general director of 1.FC Kaiserslautern (2.Bundesliga) about Fritz-Walter Stadion (49,700 seats) on 30/03/2014.

The venue, renovated in 2003 for €50m, was one of 12 stadiums that hosted the 2006 World Cup. Inaugurated in 1920, the stadium is considered 'too big' by club leaders. In 2013-14, it welcomed an average of 30,400 spectators, a fill rate of 62%.

Operating costs of the Fritz-Walter Stadion amounted to €10m in 2013-14, according to Stefan Kuntz. The operation of the stadium by 1.FC Kaiserslautern was recently challenged by a group of taxpayers, who believe that the rental contract is unfavourable to the city. There will be an inquiry into the matter by the Rhineland-Palatinate Land in April 2014.

Kaiserslautern's stadium is one of seven stadiums (39% of stadiums in the 2.Bundesliga) that does not have a naming rights contract. 83% of venues in the Bundesliga sold their stadium naming rights in 2013-14.

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