FC Nürnberg selects preferred option for stadium renovation

Andreas Krieglstein (right) and FCN board member Stefan Heim (Images: 1. FC Nürnberg)

German 2. Bundesliga club 1. FC Nürnberg has presented a preferred option for its Max-Morlock-Stadion redevelopment project

1. FC Nürnberg said that over the past few months, the Stuttgart-based architectural firm asp, the City of Nuremberg, 1. FC Nürnberg, and numerous specialist planners have developed and compared various options.

FC Nürnberg said the preferred option for the Max-Morlock-Stadion redevelopment demonstrates that a modern stadium with a capacity of around 50,000 spectators can be built within the planned budget.

For international matches, more than 40,000 seats will be available. The running track will be removed, and the stands will be moved closer to the pitch, creating a much more intense football atmosphere.

At the same time, the design improves accessibility and the quality of the visitor experience, while also enhancing opportunities for events and other commercial uses, the club said.

Stefan Heim, Chief Financial Officer at 1. FC Nürnberg, said: “We are very grateful to the city for actively involving our fans in the design of their new home.

“At the same time, the preferred option opens up possibilities for uses that create social value far beyond the scope of football. We are therefore convinced that this project will be a major asset for Nuremberg, the region, and 1. FC Nürnberg.”

The 50,000-capacity Max-Morlock-Stadion is a stadium in Nuremberg, Germany, which opened in 1928. It neighbors the Nuremberg Arena.

Since 1966, it has served as the home stadium of the German 2. Bundesliga club 1. FC Nürnberg. During the 1972 Summer Olympics, the venue hosted six football matches.

Earlier this year, the City of Nuremberg awarded the project management contract for the next phases of the complete reconstruction of the Max-Morlock-Stadion in Nuremberg to the strategic consultancy company PROPROJEKT.
 

FCN set to become operator

Back in December 2025, the City Council decided to transfer the stadium into a municipal enterprise. This municipal enterprise is, in turn, intended to lease the stadium to 1. FC Nürnberg as the operator. As planned, the city will retain ownership of the stadium.

FCN board member Stefan Heim said, “Nothing has changed for us. From the very beginning, it was crucial for the Club to secure competitive infrastructure and to have access to it 365 days a year.”

Based on this foundation, the club and the city devised the equity structure (including the “stadium levy”), a framework they continue to develop jointly.

Nuremberg’s Mayor for Sports, Andreas Krieglstein, said, “Through the preliminary planning phase, we have transformed numerous ideas and objectives into a concrete vision for the future.

“A stadium of this scale must do more today than simply host football matches on game days. It must be economically viable, suitable for year-round use, and offer lasting added value to the people of Nuremberg.

“The planners’ recommendation demonstrates that, within the projected budget, we can build a stadium that offers fans a superior experience, ensures long-term economic viability, and preserves its unique identity. This marks a crucial milestone on the path to our new ‘Octagon’.”

The preferred option for Max-Morlock-Stadion redevelopment deliberately focuses investment on the functions most critical to future stadium operations. At the same time, it incorporates defining elements of the existing stadium—such as preserving the heritage-listed stadium wall.

Furthermore, the stadium is intended to become even more of a home for 1. FC Nürnberg. Dedicated fan areas, a club museum, and administrative offices will forge a strong bond between the club and the stadium, allowing fans to experience the club beyond just match days.

The presentation of the preferred option for the Max-Morlock-Stadion redevelopment does not mark the end of the preliminary planning phase.

On Wednesday, July 22, 2026, the City Council will deliberate on the proposed construction program in a public session. Subsequently, the planning firm will further refine the selected option and calculate detailed cost estimates.

In parallel, the city is developing a business plan to outline the new stadium’s economic prospects, serving as a vital basis for future financing decisions.

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