2005

The new Olympiastadion Berlin has been celebrated as a “Five-Star-Stadium” since its reopening. In April 2005 the European Union of Football Associations (UEFA) officially named the Olympiastadion Berlin to the list of “Five-Star-Stadia” – the highest ranking possible for all stadiums in Europe. The new roof construction by gmp (Gerkan, Marg & Partner) and the engineering firm Krebs and Kiefer was honoured with the 2004 steel construction prize by Bauen mit Stahl e.V. – one of the oldest German architectural prizes.

Barely one year after reopening, the Olympiastadion Berlin was able to greet its 150.000^th visitor (excluding events). 12.407 guests took advantage of the opportunity to see the stadium for free on the day of the first anniversary of the new Olympiastadion Berlin. Additional highlights during the “first” year were the U2 concert, the international German gymnastics festival and the ISTAF.

2006

Football, as the number one sport, played the biggest role in 2006. Highlighting the football history at the Olympiastadion Berlin was the FIFA World Cup 2006, when six games of the tournament were played there. Unforgettable memories will remain from the games Germany – Argentina, which the eventual 3^rd place finisher Germany won in penalty kicks, and the World Cup Final between Italy and France. The Squadra Azzura had to go to penalty kicks as well on their way to becoming the 18^th World Cup Champions at the Olympiastadion Berlin.

In time before the start of the FIFA World Cup, the chapel inside the Olympiastadion Berlin was opened. The chapel serves the athletes as well as people who want to celebrate a marriage or the christening of their children. Since September of 2006, a tailormade organ provides the musical elements of services.

Immediately following the FIFA World Cup two more major events took place at the Olympiastadion Berlin, as Robbie Williams as well as the Rolling Stones fascinated tens of thousands of fans. Major sporting events also followed, as the world’s track and field stars including Asafa Powell and Jeremy Wariner battled for the win at the ISTAF, an IAAF Golden League Meeting.

A world premiere was also part of the events at the Olympiastadion Berlin, as 50.000 fams gathered to see the first Pyronale. Six teams of the internationally leading pyrotechnicians competed over two days and fascinated the people with fireworks displays never before seen. A jury consisting of specialists in the field of pyrotechnics as well as celebrities judged the teams’ performances and chose the Portuguese “Luso Pirotecnia Group” to be the winners.

2007

The number of visitors did not fall in 2007, as the 500.000^th visitor was greeted in February. Approximately 276.000 tourists came to see the new Olympiastadion Berlin during non-event days.

The 2007 sporting events highlights included home games for Hertha BSC Berlin and Berlin Thunder, as well as the DFB Cup Final and the U16 international match between Germany and France. Additionally, the ISTAF celebrated its 70^th year of existence and 66^th time the event was held.

Concerts included Herbert Grönemeyer and Genesis, who were on a Comeback-Tour while stopping at the Olympiastadion Berlin. The Pyronale fireworks world championship also returned in September to find a new world champion on the Maifeld behind the Olympiastadion Berlin.

2008

The year 2008 is one of records at the Olympiastadion Berlin. On June 3^rd, the first of two Guinness world records was set by the longest children’s painting, which covered all 75.000 seats, measuring a total length of 37 kilometres. In July, German Comedy-Star Mario Barth set a new world record when 70.000 people came to see his comedy act.

Since July bears are growling at the Olympiastadion Berlin. The Olympiastadion Berlin Buddy-Bear was greeted at the stadium. The bear displays the beauty, meaning and functionality of the Olympiastadion Berlin in many different ways.

On August 28^th Pop-Queen Madonna thrilled 50.000 fans at the Olympiastadion Berlin, the first stop in Germany on her “Sticky & Sweet” Tour.

Another success was the 3^rd Pyronale fireworks World Championships at the Maifeld, next to the Olympiastadion Berlin.

2008 was and remains an interesting year in sports as well. The German FA Cup Finals for men and women were sold out on April 19^th at the Olympiastadion Berlin. At the ISTAF approximately 60.000 fans came to cheer on the world’s elite athletes. After a two year wait, Hertha BSC Berlin was able to welcome fans once again to UEFA-Cup games at the Olympiastadion Berlin. The absolute highlight of 2008 sporting events will be the friendly match between the German and English national teams on November 11^th. The preparations for next years sporting event highlight are also being made. The 12^th IAAF World Championships in Athletics will come to Berlin in 2009. The stadium’s track is being re-topped to shine blue once more and the long and triple jump sites are also being renewed to comply with the highest standards of the IAAF. 

2009

The record setting at the Olympiastadion Berlin continued in 2009. During the ISTAF, Ariane Friedrich equalled the German Record in the women’s high jump and thusly enthused Berlin for the world’s third largest sporting event: the 12th IAAF World Championships in Athletics berlin 2009™. Around 400.000 spectators at the Olympiastadion and the millions in front of the TV screens in more than 200 countries celebrated three World Records and hundreds of National Records during the nine days of the championships. Usain Bolt’s new World Records in the men’s 100m and 200m on the fastest track in the world – the blue track at the Olympiastadion Berlin set the absolute highlights.

The concert season also brought a new record – one for spectators: More than 90.000 Fans came to see rock superstars U2 in July during their 360° Tour, where for the first time ever, a 360° stage was used. One month before Depeche Mode had played in front of a sell out crowd.

Hertha BSC also enthused Berlin. For several weeks, the capital’s soccer team was at the top of the standings and let fans dream of the first championship since the 1930/1931 season. In the end, it was not quite enough for the trophy, but with a fourth place finish, the club will be playing internationally during the 2009/2010 season.

The DFB Cup Finals were also once again sold out and Werder Bremen and FCR 2001 Duisburg secured the titles in the men’s and women’s finals. The beginning of September marked the fourth time the Pyronale World Championships of Fireworks took place at the Olympiastadion. The season’s closing event was the B2Run, Germany’s most beautiful company running event, which will take place every year on from this year at the Olympiastadion Berlin.