Mewa Arena (German pronunciation: [ˈmeːvaː ʔaˌʁeːnaː]; stylised as MEWA ARENA; also known as the 1. FSV Mainz 05 Arena due to UEFA sponsorship regulations) is a multi-purpose stadium in Mainz, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, that opened in July 2011. It is used for football matches, and hosts the home matches of the German Bundesliga side Mainz 05.

Mewa Arena
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Former namesCoface Arena (2011–2016)
Opel Arena (2016–2021)
LocationMainz, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
Coordinates49°59′3″N 8°13′27″E / 49.98417°N 8.22417°E / 49.98417; 8.22417
OwnerGrundstücksverwaltungsgesellschaft der Stadt Mainz mbH (GVG)
Operator1. FSV Mainz 05 e.V.
Executive suites35[1]
Capacity34,000 (League Matches),[1]
27,000 (International Matches)[1]
SurfaceGrass
Construction
Broke ground5 May 2009
Opened3 July 2011[1]
Construction cost€ 60 million
ArchitectDr. Axel Nixdorf, agn Niederberghaus & Partner[1]
Project managerhbm Stadien- und Sportstättenbau GmbH[1]
Main contractorsGrundstückverwaltungsgesellschaft Mainz GmbH[1]
Tenants
Mainz 05 (2011–present)
Germany national football team (selected matches)

The stadium has a capacity of 34,034, 19,700 seated, and replaced the Bruchwegstadion. The stadium was originally named Coface Arena ([ˈkoːfas ʔaˌʁeːna]) after a sponsorship deal with COFACE. From May 2016 to June 2021 the stadium was known as Opel Arena ([ˈoːpl̩ ʔaˌʁeːnaː]) per a naming rights agreement with Opel.[2]

The stadium adopted its current name in July 2021 following a sponsorship agreement with the MEWA Textil-Service, a German linen rental company.[3]

Opening

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To celebrate the opening, FSV Mainz 05 hosted the Ligatotal! Cup 2011, a pre-season tournament with champions Borussia Dortmund, Hamburger SV and Bayern Munich. Borussia Dortmund won the tournament with FSV Mainz 05 finishing last after losing to Bayern Munich in the third-place play-off.

The first league goal scored in the new arena was scored by Tunisian International Sami Allagui for FSV Mainz 05 against Bayer Leverkusen on 7 August 2011.

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Mewa Arena (panorama)

Milestone matches

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7 August 2011   Mainz 05 2–0 Bayer Leverkusen   2011–12 Bundesliga
First Bundesliga Match
15:30 CEST Allagui   32'
Toprak   86' (o.g.)
Attendance: 33,500
Referee: Michael Weiner
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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Unsere Arena". mainz05.de (in German). Mainz: 1. FSV Mainz 05 e. V. n.d.
  2. ^ "Stadium in Mainz Renamed OPEL ARENA". media.opel.com. 19 May 2016. Retrieved 26 December 2021.
  3. ^ "Mainz spielt künftig in der Mewa-Arena". kicker.de (in German). kicker. 24 March 2021. Retrieved 13 August 2021.