SSV Ulm home dress-up nod to secure position

Article posted by Coliseum, March 24^th, 2025

Image: SSV Ulm

A transformative €30 million project aims to secure the future of the 2. Bundesliga team SSV Ulm 1846 Fußball (Germany).

‘THE PINNACLE GAZETTE’ stated that in a crucial decision for the future of the SSV Ulm 1846 Fußball the City Council of Ulm unanimously approved a significant renovation project for the SSV Ulm 1846 Fußball historic home ground – the Donaustadion in Ulm, Germany.

The SSV Ulm 1846 FUSSBALL e.V., commonly known as the SSV Ulm 1846 or the SSV Ulm, is a German football club based in Ulm, Baden-Württemberg (Germany). The club has started playing in the 2. Bundesliga (the second division of professional football in Germany) in the 2024-2025 seasons after promotion from the 3. Liga in the 2023-2024 campaign finishing first place.

The Donaustadion is a multipurpose stadium in Ulm, Germany. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home stadium of the SSV Ulm 1846. The stadium is able to hold 19,500 people.

The City Council of Ulm, Germany, is the elected body responsible for governing the City with a focus on creating a diverse and inclusive urban society.

‘THE PINNACLE GAZETTE’ further stated that this modernization plan which amounts to a financial commitment of up to €30 million aims to ensure that the stadium meets the standards required for the team to continue competing in the second division of German football.

The above decision came after a series of negotiations and was crucial as the SSV Ulm had to prove by March 15^th, 2025 that they were in compliance with the Deutsche Fußball Liga (DFL) requirements for the upcoming season. The club submitted the necessary documentation to the DFL a day before this deadline – on March 14^th, 2025 with the Council’s approval being a key prerequisite.

Frankfurt (Germany)-based the DFL Deutsche Fußball Liga GmbH (or simply the Deutsche Fußball Liga [the German Football League] often shortened to as DFL) is responsible for the entire operating business of the Ligaverband (an association of the 36 German professional football clubs [or their companies] that partake in the Bundesliga [the highest level of the German football league system] and the 2. Bundesliga).

On the evening of March 19^th, 2025 the City Council’s approval greenlighted a plan that envisions maintaining the stadium’s multifunctional status which means it will continue to host not only football but also athletics and community sports. This decision is part of a broader commitment to ensure that the local sports needs are met while giving the football club a fighting chance to avoid relegation.

Martin Ansbacher, Lord Mayor of Ulm, expressed his satisfaction with the decision stating, “This is a strong commitment from the City to football. Now it’s up to the club to focus on staying in the league. We have done our part.”

Underlining the urgency of the renovation Ansbacher noted that the construction work is expected to commence swiftly and will proceed in phases allowing the operations to continue during the renovation process.

The primary goal of the renovation is to guarantee compliance with the DFL regulations which stipulate that all the spectator areas must be covered. As a result, the plan includes replacing both the North and the South Stands entirely as well as upgrades to the main stand all at an estimated net cost of approximately €17 million. These modifications are aimed at creating a better experience for the fans and fulfilling the necessary safety standards.

Financially, the City of Ulm will take the lead on funding the renovation covering the initial costs upfront to allow for immediate action on the project. However, the SSV Ulm will gradually reimburse approximately 75 percent of the renovation costs back to the City over the next 10 years irrespective of the division in which they find themselves in the future seasons.

While the City has taken significant steps to facilitate these plans the club’s aspiration to develop a dedicated football stadium remains. The football club hopes to have its own football arena in the future and the City has expressed willingness to assist in locating suitable land for this potential development. However, the construction of a new stadium will ultimately fall to the club to finance independently.

The SSV Ulm 1846 Fußball remains in a precarious position as it fights to maintain its place in the second division. While this renovation project will contribute to enhancing their home ground the club’s survival in the league is critical. The approval received from the City Council is seen as a vote of confidence necessary for the team to secure its license to play in the next season which largely depends on the club’s performance on the pitch. With this support hopes are high that the team will flourish backed by a City that is demonstrating its commitment to local sports.

As the club continues to strive for athletic and competitive success the City’s investment will also serve to strengthen the community ties through sports benefiting not just the club but the residents of Ulm as well. With new infrastructure the club can aim not only to survive but to thrive as an essential part of the fabric of Ulm’s sporting life.

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