2000-2004

On July 3rd, the ground-breaking ceremony was performed by German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder, Minister of the Interior, Otto Schily, and the Governing Mayor of Berlin, Eberhard Diepgen, along with DFB-representative Franz Beckenbauer.

Step by step the ailing building was renovated. For the re-construction, the stadium was divided into 19 sectors, starting in the North East. The upper ring was largely left untouched, but the lower ring of stands had to be completely rebuilt. This new lower ring also involved the lowering of the infield by 2.65 metres, allowing the addition of another two seating rows and a shorter distance between infield and stands. The inner gallery between lower and upper ring now served for the integration of most of the 76 new VIP boxes. In addition, the honorary stand as well as the historic Hall of Honour and Coubertin Hall, based on the requirements of the monument conservation, could be remodelled. 13 new Sky boxes were installed in the former press stands in the upper ring stands.

The renovation was carried out without closing the stadium: Despite the stadium being a huge construction site, the National Soccer League games of Hertha BSC, the annual DFB FA-Cup Final Matches, and (starting in 2003) the home games of the NFL-Europe team Berlin Thunder were staged. The Walter Bau-AG had guaranteed a total of 55,000 seats for sporting events, for the DFB FA-Cup Final Matches, a total of 70,000 seats were made possible. Only the Golden League track-and-field meeting ISTAF had to move to the Ludwig-Jahn-Sportpark.

The new roofing of the stands was not closed because the historic opening at the Marathon Gate was to be preserved. The undisturbed view of the Maifeld and the Bell Tower, requested by the Monument Conservation Authority, thus was left untouched as well. Due to this construction, the seemingly floating roof is supported by 20 filigree steel columns standing in the upper ring. Some of the most advanced lighting technology and an audio system with a performance of more than 150,000 Watts is integrated into the roof.

2004

In summer 2004, the stadium was handed over to a new management and administration company. The stadium was re-opened with a grand opening festival and event on July 31st. Since August 2nd, the stadium has been open to all Berliners and tourists (on days without scheduled events).

On September 8th 2004, the German national soccer team played their first match at the new stadium – the team led by federal coach Jürgen Klinsmann managed to hold its ground against the Brazilian team by playing 1:1.

The final completion of the stadium and the surrounding areas continued until 2006, when the stadium was well-prepared for the 2006 FIFA World Cup and the sports highlight of 2006: The final match on July 9th at the Olympiastadion Berlin.

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.