What to expect from the Esprit Arena crowd?

Esprit Arena is a venue in Dusseldorf

Despite currently playing the the second tier of German football, Fortuna Dusseldorf's home games always have a good atmosphere. They have a very good following and a pack of ultras that always keep the game humming along nicely. The atmosphere is best when the roof is closed. The noise and the electricity have nowhere to go, so it just builds and builds to a crescendo.

Dusseldorf has never completely been a football mecca. Although its respectable population size (approx. 593,000) the stadium never really fills up, even in times when they used to play in the first Bundesliga. However, the average in the 2016/17 season is 25,000 spectators every game which is not a bad number. Regarding the size of the stadium, however, that means only half the tickets have been sold. Therefore, the atmosphere is good, but nothing too special. Make sure you are wearing something red to support the home team!

This is not one of the great atmospheric stadiums in Germany by any stretch of the imagination, but there is a fair contingent on the standing terrace doing their bit. Ultras Düsseldorf congregate behind the southern goal and make a racket, but often it is lost into the size of the ground. Away supporters are right at the far end and split over two levels, but they can still be heard throughout the ground. That's about it though - the chances of trouble are basically zero. If somehow Fortuna get promoted (or Köln get relegated) then their games will be very feisty.