Illerstadion

Illerstadion

Location	Illerdamm 10, 87437Kempten(Allgäu), Germany
Coordinates	47°43′50″N10°19′10″E
Capacity	9,000
Opened	1938

TheIllerstadionis a 9,0000 capacity multi-use stadium inKempten,Germany. The stadium is located on the Illerdamm 10 road, on the east side of theRiver Illerin the northern area of the town. The stadium hosts the football teamFC Kemptenand the American football team theAllgäu Cometsand also has facilities for athletics.

History

The first plans for a stadium next to the river were submitted by Otto Merkt in 1919. However, it was not until 1938 that the city council received plans from the planning officer Maximilian Vicari that construction began. The plans included 5,600 standing room, a small-caliber shooting range, facilities for high jump, shot put, pole vault and parking for 200 cars.

In 1939, the playing field and a cindermotorcycle speedwaytrack were added. The main stand was completed in 1949 and the large standing stand wall and marathon gate were completed in 1956. It then had a 12,500 capacity.

In 1965, the stadium hosted arguably what was its most significant event, the final of the1965 Speedway World Team Cup.It later hosted the inaugural1968 Speedway World Pairs Championship.Between 1979 and 1986, the speedway track was demolished, two synthetic pitches, two new grass fields and a sand grass pitch were created.

In 1995, the main square and sand track were converted and expanded into an athletics competition track. The stadium was further modernised in 1999/2000.