The Velodrom is best known for the SIX DAY BERLIN cycling race and is located across the street from DSTRCT. In the future, it’ll be possible to look over at the neighboring property from the rooftop terrace.
Besides its impressive cycling track, the Velodrom, with its UFO-like design, is also one of the largest event venues in Berlin and offers neighbors and visitors from all over the city a perfect location for athletic and cultural events. So what types of events can be held here? The general manager of Velomax Berlin Hallenbetriebs GmbH, Sybil Franke, provides the answers.
What’s so special about the Velodrom?
From the outside you see a meadow with apple trees growing in it and two spectacular metallic roof structures that protrude straight out of the ground. The actual size of the arena, designed by architect Dominique Perrault, contrasts with this inconspicuous exterior, as the Velodrom can hold up to 12,000 guests.
Inside, the first thing that catches the eye is this special – and Europe’s largest – steel roof structure, which resembles a wheel. And the 250-meter-long cycling track, where the SIX DAY BERLIN cycling race has been held since 1997, is also quite special and, above all, is Olympic size. But athletic competitions, shows, concerts, and corporate events are also held here, because the Velodrom is multifunctional.
What are some upcoming event highlights?
The German Track Cycling Championships, corporate events, and concerts by Leningrad, Flume, Amon Amarth, and Boris Brejcha will all be held here this year. We will begin 2020 with the SIX DAYS BERLIN and the UCI Track Cycling World Championships.
The venue can also be used for corporate events. What’s possible in this regard?
The possibilities are endless and we’ll do anything that is physically possible – we once hosted a windsurfing contest, for example. We essentially have a potential event space of 12,193 m², and have been used for corporate events ranging from a few 100 people to several thousand participants. In this context, the interior of the arena is often visually divided, for example into a conference area with chairs (which sometimes also includes use of the balconies with chairs), and a gala area. Since we opened in 1997, numerous political party conventions, meetings, product presentations, trade shows, fashion shows, award ceremonies, and extreme sports events have been held here. The Velodrom is open to anyone with a new and creative idea.
Do you have a favorite spot in the Velodrom?
Yes, I enjoy going up to the roof and out onto the catwalk – the view is spectacular.
How many events are held here each year, and with how many guests?
Since the Velodrom is available to the Berlin Cycling Association for training sessions, we are already booked for up to a 100 days a year. In addition, the venue can be used for commercial purposes, which means that we can get up to 250 days a year with shooting, setup, and dismantling days, training sessions, and the days when the events actually take place. As already mentioned, the number of visitors varies from a few hundred to 10,000 at sold-out concerts.
Velodrom,
Paul-Heyse-Strasse 26, 10407 Berlin
www.velodrom.de
