VfB Stuttgart has officially opened its revamped CLUB 1893 at the MHPArena following an extensive refurbishment programme aimed at transforming the space into a multi-purpose event and hospitality venue.
MHP Arena said the 600sqm venue has been redesigned to incorporate two distinct areas: a traditional wing celebrating the club’s heritage and an innovation wing focused on technology, collaboration and future development.
CLUB 1893 will not only provide an exclusive hospitality experience on matchdays, but it will also host a range of events during the week, including educational workshops and private functions.
The venue will also serve as the physical hub of VfB Innovation, with the club’s Innovation Circle set to meet there to develop ideas with partners and drive forward new projects.
VfB Stuttgart, or simply VfB, is a German professional sports club based in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. The club’s football team is currently part of Germany’s first division, the Bundesliga.
The 60,449-capacity MHPArena is home to the VfB Stuttgart. It hosted football matches during the 1974 FIFA World Cup™, the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) EURO 1988 and the 2006 FIFA World Cup™.
VfB Stuttgart chief executive Alexander Wehrle said: “VfB has existed since 1893, but we have continually reinvented and developed ourselves. That is part of what VfB is about and is important in bringing people together and generating new ideas.
“With these modernised spaces, we are creating a place where partners, start-ups and innovative minds can meet away from matchdays, work on specific projects and experience innovation first-hand. Our team has created something extraordinary here over the past few months.”
Innovation on show
Guests at the inauguration explored the new facilities in two groups, with the innovation wing hosting a discussion between Wehrle and Baden-Württemberg Finance Minister Dr Danyal Bayaz on the importance of innovation and the region’s economic and technological development.
Visitors were also given demonstrations of VfB’s artificial intelligence applications and its data-driven approach to match and tactical analysis.
A second discussion brought together Christian Ruf, VfB Stuttgart’s director of innovation and digital, and former player and club ambassador Cacau.
Meanwhile, the traditional wing provided a platform for three start-ups to showcase their projects, with interactive demonstrations allowing guests to experience their innovations.
The club’s education department also presented its work through a series of interactive activities, including demonstrations of its educational and AI-based programmes.
The evening concluded with a live recording of VfB’s STR podcast, followed by music from DJ Yota, providing an opportunity for guests to network and connect.
The redevelopment underlines VfB Stuttgart’s ambition to use its stadium facilities beyond matchdays, combining hospitality, education and innovation within a single venue.
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