VFL Bochum yet to occupy Lohrheidstadion

VFL Bochum yet to occupy Lohrheidstadion - current status

Bochum's Lohrheidestadion Ready for Action, but Not for All Just Yet

After a lengthy renovation period, Bochum's Lohrheidestadion is finally nearing completion, just days before the start of the new football season. The stadium, which meets the highest standards for athletics competitions, is set to host the German Athletics Championships in 2026.

The eagerly awaited return of Kreisligist RW Leithe to the Lohrheidestadion, however, is still on hold. The players are still waiting for the completion of the refurbishment and modernization of the stadium to call it their new home ground.

Annikie Krahn, VfL Director of Women's Football, expressed her excitement about the players playing in the stadium. "It's a fantastic development for our women's team to have a stadium like the Lohrheidestadion as their home ground," she said.

The Lohrheidestadion now boasts a fully covered stadium and a new, state-of-the-art blue track. New facilities have also been built behind the west tribune of the stadium, including an air hall for TV Wattenscheid 01 Athletics.

Unfortunately, the first home game for VfL Bochum women will not take place at the Lohrheidestadion due to pitch replacement. The club's first home game at the Lohrheidestadion is scheduled for September 7 against SC Sand.

Kreisligist RW Leithe, on the other hand, has been without a home pitch for two years due to the renovation. A new artificial turf pitch with a clubhouse was constructed for the team and its seven teams, but the artificial turf pitch in the west of the sports park, intended for Kreisligist RW Leithe, is not yet reopened.

The club and the football association have not yet given the green light for Kreisligist RW Leithe to use the Lohrheidestadion. In the meantime, the team's youth teams are currently training on an ash pitch in Sevinghausen.

The city is still checking "submitted usage requests" to optimize usage for all three clubs (Rot-Weiß, SG Wattenscheid 09, and TV Wattenscheid 01 athletics). The match against promoted Warbeyen will be held on the athletics field at the Ruhrstadion.

Both VfL Bochum and SG Wattenscheid 09 have emphasized their anticipation for the stadium and a trusting cooperation. In case of scheduling conflicts, the city of Bochum has given VfL priority. The first game in the Lohrheidestadion after completion is set for August 31, with SG Wattenscheid 09 hosting SpVgg Vreden.