20 Years of SparkassenPark: A Success Story
SparkassenPark Marks 20 Years with Record-Breaking Celebrations and Economic Impact
In 2006, Germany's men's hockey team became world champions in Mönchengladbach—marking the start of an impressive legacy for the HockeyPark, now known as SparkassenPark, as a premier sports and event venue. The facility went on to host major hockey tournaments, including the Champions Trophy (2008 and 2010) and, to date, three European Championships (2011, 2023, and 2025). "We have been hosts for Europe and the world," Hilgers proudly declared. The numbers speak for themselves: 238 matches, 330,000 spectators, and 175,000 overnight stays by players, staff, and visitors. These events generated a direct economic impact of €53.66 million for the city and produced event-related revenue of €14.84 million, according to a study by Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences.
Concerts and Events
The second major pillar of SparkassenPark's success is its lineup of concerts by internationally renowned artists and bands—from a-ha to ZZ Top, David Guetta to Sting, Herbert Grönemeyer to Guns N' Roses. Over 20 years, 648 artists have taken the stage 354 times, performing for 1.77 million fans. Financially, these concerts delivered a direct economic impact of €287.2 million and generated event-related revenue of €203.5 million.
Successful Special Events
Beyond hockey and concerts, SparkassenPark has hosted numerous standout events, including the Run & Fun corporate run, over 100 "beach chair concerts" during the coronavirus pandemic, and festivals like Park Pop, the BOBfest, and MG Olé.
Balance Sheet and Outlook
After two decades, SparkassenPark's record stands at 666 events, 2.298 million visitors, over 350,000 overnight stays, and total revenue nearing €600 million—"not bad at all," Micky Hilgers remarked with a wink.
The anniversary will, of course, be celebrated with an experience bridging past, present, and future. "This year's extraordinary concerts—both in terms of quality, quantity, and expected attendance—are a highlight," Hilgers said, looking ahead to the birthday year. Acts like Paul Kalkbrenner, Sarah Connor, the Unheilig reunion, Limp Bizkit, Kraftklub, and the Pet Shop Boys are set to draw around 250,000 visitors to the city this summer.
Anniversary Activities
Alongside the concerts, a range of anniversary events will give back to the community and offer a behind-the-scenes look at SparkassenPark, as Hilgers explained. Public participation is encouraged—such as an open-access piano where street musicians can perform songs from the venue's 20-year history in the city center. Those interested in joining can apply to take part.
Starting May 20, the #YourSparkassenParkMoment social media campaign will invite visitors to share their own memories of the venue through photos, videos, and stories. Prizes will be awarded, including the ultimate highlight: the first-ever season pass for two to all 2027 concerts!
Anniversary Day
The anniversary year will also feature a dedicated celebration day on October 3, when SparkassenPark transforms into a multifaceted experience space. A walk-through "time travel" exhibit will guide visitors through the venue's legendary moments, complete with images, music, emotions, and original equipment. Family-friendly entertainment will round out the event, with a special attraction: a roughly 150-meter-long cable car offering a bird's-eye view of the grounds.
The musical lineup for October 3 will be equally memorable. Alongside local Mönchengladbach bands Plexiphones and Booster, The Sweet will return—the very first act to ever perform at SparkassenPark back in 2006.
The day will conclude with an emotional finale: a spectacular drone, video, and illumination show with fireworks, dramatically retelling the story of SparkassenPark.
Congratulations and Final Thoughts
Mayor Felix Heinrichs delivered his congratulations on Wednesday, hailing SparkassenPark as a major force in the cultural scene. "We would never have attracted so many people to the city without this venue," Heinrichs remarked. "This anniversary isn't just ours to celebrate—it belongs to everyone who has brought the SparkassenPark to life with passion over the past 20 years," added Michael Hilgers.
For more details and tickets to the anniversary event, visit www.sparkassenpark.de/20-years.
