Bundesliga: FC Schalke 04 reconstitutes a mine gallery in the entrance tunnel of Veltins Arena

FC Schalke 04 (Bundesliga) has reconstituted a mine gallery in the players' entrance tunnel to Veltins Arena (69,000 seats) on 30/08/2014.

The city of Gelsenkirchen, where the club is located, is situated in the heart of one of the major coalfields of the Ruhr valley, and the one of the club's nicknames is "Die Knappen" (The Miners). This historical relation to coal is regularly claimed by the Schalke fans (which is the name of a district of the city). "We are delighted that the new players' tunnel is publicly perceived as positive," says Alexander Jobst, director of marketing of the club.

The club announced that the tunnel will keep this aspect for the entire 2014-15 season, at minimum. FC Schalke 04 hopes to increase the number of tours of the Veltins Arena. The price of the tours is €9 euros for adults (€5 for under 21 years).

• Gelsenkirchen stadium, opened in August 2001, has been named Veltins Arena since 2005.
• The German brewery Veltins extended its naming contract with FC Schalke 04 until 2019 on…