Esprit Arena

Esprit Arena (originally LTU Arena) is a multi-functional football stadium in Düsseldorf, Germany. The stadium holds 54,600 and has a closable roof. The special heating system allows comfortable events at the height of winter.

History
It was built from 2002 to 2004 to replace the former Rheinstadion at the same site near the river Rhine. The structure's initial capacity of 51,500 was expanded in summer 2010 when seating areas were converted into standing terraces. It hosts association football team Fortuna Düsseldorf (currently in the first division - Bundesliga).

International matches
The Arena was not one of the venues for the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, but it hosted several international matches since it opened.

The first international match in the Arena was an international friendly between Germany and Argentina on 9 February 2005, ending in a 2-2 draw. On 7 February 2007, Germany played their second international friendly in the Arena, beating Switzerland 3-1. In their third international friendly in the Arena, on 11 February 2009, Germany suffered a 1-0 defeat to Norway.

The Arena also hosted two international friendlies of the Portuguese national football team. In Portugal's first international friendly in the Arena, on 1 March 2006, they recorded a 3-0 win over Saudi Arabia. On 26 March 2008, Portugal played their second international friendly in the Arena, suffering a 2-1 defeat to Greece national football team.

Other sporting events
The stadium was the former home of the Rhein Fire of NFL Europe, an American football league. They were tenants half a year after it reopened to the end of the 2007 season. Espirit Arena is also due to host the Race of Champions 2010, of which home drivers Sebastian Vettel and Michael Schumacher have already signed up for. Esprit Arena is the host stadium for the boxing bout between Wladimir Klitschko and Jean Marc Moreck set to take place on the 3rd of March 2012. The stadium also hosted the boxing bout between Wladimir Klitschko vs Eddie Chambers on the 20th of March 2010; Klitschko won the bout by 12th round KO.

Music events
American rock band Bon Jovi played the arena in 2006 as part of the Have A Nice Day Tour.

On New Year's Eve 2008, the dance music event Sensation was held with an attendance of over 15,000.

Depeche Mode performed at the stadium in 2006 and 2010. The two 2010 shows were recorded for the live albums project, Recording the Universe.

The arena has played host to music festivals, including Projekt Revolution.

Esprit Arena hosted the 56th Eurovision Song Contest in 2011.

Madonna played two concerts in 2006 and 2008 during her Confessions Tour and Sticky & Sweet Tour in Düsseldorf´s Esprit Arena.

Naming rights
The naming rights to the stadium are currently held by clothing manufacturer Esprit.

Prior to July 2009, the German airline LTU held the naming rights.

Düsseldorf's mayor Dirk Elbers stated that, due to treaty obligations, the arena would lose its sponsor name and be renamed Düsseldorf Arena for the period of the Eurovision Song Contest 2011 which was held there in May 2011.

Public transport
Esprit Arena/Messe Nord is a terminus station of the Düsseldorf urban rail line 78, part of the Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Ruhr (VRR).