Taylor Swift kicks off her “Eras Tour” in Germany starting July 17th, making Gelsenkirchen the initial stop with three consecutive nights of performances. Here are the key details for the concerts:
Pre-Concert Information:
Attendees are advised to have their tickets digitally on their smartphones, as no paper tickets will be issued in advance. Visitors should download their tickets on the Eventim.PASS app and ensure their phone is fully charged. If one person has purchased and booked tickets for multiple attendees, the entire group must enter together with the main ticket holder. Essential documents for the main buyer include a valid photo ID and booking confirmation. For any ticket-related queries, organizers have set up several “Help Desks.”
Arena Entry Times:
Regular entry for the Gelsenkirchen concerts starts at 4:30 PM. Visitors with the “Early Entry Package” or VIP packages “VIP 1 It’s Been A Long Time Coming” and “VIP 6 We Never Go Out of Style” have earlier access from 3:30 PM.
Entrance Gates:
Choice of entrance gates varies based on ticket type. Those with standing tickets benefit from a color-coded system marking the standing waiting areas. On-site signage directs guests to their respective queuing zones. For seated guests, the entrance is specified on the ticket. Visitors should use these designated entrances exclusively to access their seats.
Concert Start Time:
The show begins at 6:15 PM. However, Swifties should anticipate a wait as the band Paramore performs before Swift takes the stage.
Public Transport Arrival:
Public transport offers several routes. Fans should allocate ample time due to increased traffic before the concerts. One option is tram line 302, running at a reduced frequency on concert days to facilitate travel to and from the arena. Another option includes bus services: Bus 380 to the “Sport-Paradies” stop or Bus 381 to the “Willy-Brandt-Allee” stop.
Arriving by Car:
For those driving, there’s parking available at the “ZOOM Erlebniswelt,” offering free park-and-ride facilities. Shuttle buses run from there to the arena and back, starting from 3:00 PM. Additional parking is at lots B-E on Adenauerallee and Willy-Brandt-Allee. Designated drop-off and pick-up spots C1, C2, and P6 are also available, strictly for short-term parking. The arena provides a total of 14,000 parking spaces listed on their website with a location map. However, organizers strongly recommend using public transport due to limited on-site parking.
Payment Inside the Arena:
During the three-hour show, fans may get hungry or thirsty. Concession stands inside the arena accept payment via traditional methods such as EC, debit, or credit cards, as well as Apple Pay and Google Pay. Alternatively, payments can be made using the Knappenkarte, the payment card of the football club Schalke 04. Cash transactions are not accepted.
Age Restrictions:
Children under six years old are not permitted entry to the “Eras Tour,” even if accompanied by an adult guardian. Visitors under 16 years old may only enter with a parent or legal guardian, requiring a completed “Erziehungsbeauftragung” form to be carried during the concert.
Bag Policies:
Aside from weapons, any glass, metal, or hard plastic containers are prohibited. Permitted items include a clear, soft, single-use plastic water bottle without a lid, up to 500 ml, applicable only for seated ticket holders. Standing ticket holders cannot bring bottles into the stadium.
Additionally, professional recording devices, laptops, iPads, extendable or attachable lenses for smartphones, noise-making devices like vuvuzelas, and other objects larger than an average smartphone such as flashlights, helmets, or power banks are prohibited. Fans wishing to bring signs with small messages should note that signage up to DIN-A3 format is allowed.
Merchandise Locations:
Concert-goers have multiple opportunities to purchase singer merchandise. Fans can buy merchandise before the arena at the Tausend Freunde Mauer. On the Arenaring, fan shop containers are located at various points, with additional stands inside the arena and at Tunnel 1 in the west. Merchandise kiosks on the upper and lower promenades offer another shopping option for souvenirs.
Assistance Points:
Sanitary teams are available both outside and inside the arena. Outside, teams are located in the red, yellow, and blue queuing areas and next to the East ticket office. Inside the arena, they are positioned at blocks K, Y, 40, and 80, as well as Tunnel 2 and left of the stage.
Additionally, there’s an awareness team on-site, identifiable by their pink vests labeled “STEHTAUF Anlaufstelle,” available for visitors feeling threatened or harassed. Entrance assistance to respective seats is provided by numerous helpers identifiable by their turquoise polo shirts or rain jackets.
