The McArena open-air halls at the Sportpark Weil
Football and everything else
Open-air halls have a bright future — especially when they are as versatile as the McArenas Esslingen.
The two open-air halls are barrier-free and can be used in a variety of ways.
In the spring of 2022, two adjacent open-air halls were opened in Esslingen am Neckar: one for football, the other for everything else. They expand upon the Sportpark Weil’s already impressive offering: football, fencing, tennis, bowling, dancing, health-focused or rehabilitative sport, indoor and outdoor volleyball – this is all possible here.
The two open-air halls are barrier-free and can be used in a variety of ways. They were built by McArena.
Users of the halls include the neighbouring clubs and schools, but also private groups, who can secure a time slot online. The state and the federal governments supported the construction of the Esslingen McArenas by providing 712,000 euros. This corresponds to 90 percent of the chargeable costs.
There is an increasing need for smaller, multifunctional facilities which can be accessed quickly and without membership.
The ongoing boom in open-air halls is a logical consequence of the way our sports behaviour has changed.
The sport we want to do is becoming more and more nuanced and individual. Classic core sports venues need to evolve, and are doing so. There is an increasing need for smaller, multifunctional facilities which can be accessed quickly and also used without needing to be tied to the club or have membership.
Today’s open-air halls, like the Esslingen McArenas, are roofed, versatile sports fields that can be illuminated and which are technically very well equipped. However, their biggest advantage is that they allow us do sports outdoors all year round and to be protected by the roof from the wind and weather when doing so.
The two halls in Esslingen are the first to have solar panels installed and greenery planted on their roofs. The two halls are also extremely economical: they do not require heating, are illuminated by LEDs, and are operated via a building automation system. Electricity is only consumed here when it is actually used.
The two open-air halls were designed from the outset to be barrier-free and were expressly conceived of for inclusive sports
The two open-air halls were designed from the outset to be barrier-free and were expressly conceived of for inclusive sports. They are also used accordingly.
This is made possible by the 1.35-m-wide door openings on all sides and the placement of all operating elements at hip height, or the use of wireless operation.
The two clubs FC Esslingen and SV 1845 Esslingen use the halls. In addition, the surrounding schools, residents, businesses and social institutions use the all-weather sports areas of the two open-air halls.
However, the digital operating concept also enables private groups and commercial providers to secure online time slots for the McArena.
Open-air halls have a bright future — especially when they are as versatile as the McArenas Esslingen.
The modern artificial grass pitches are the centrepiece of the McArenas. They are ideal for most ball sports and exercise programmes. The circulating belts and ball nets make the game much faster and more intense. Above all, this eliminates the annoying task of having to fetch the ball.
The construction of the open-air halls consists of solid steel beams, while the roof covering is made from trapezoidal metal sheets with anti-condensation fleece. The roof surfaces of the two halls are each half covered with a photovoltaic system and extensive greenery.
The two halls have yet more extras to offer. These include LED lighting integrated into the roof, a digital display panel (which can be controlled via a button in the goal crossbars), and a system for measuring the shooting speed. The music system can be controlled via any smartphone.
The concept and features of the Esslingen McArenas have also convinced politicians. The state and federal governments have therefore provided 712,000 euros of funding for this project. This corresponds to 90 percent of the chargeable costs.
Open-air halls are simply the future.
Project data
Open-air hall
McArena GmbH
Karl-Ferdinand-Braun-Straße 3
D — 71522 Backnang
Operator
Physical address
Sportpark Weil
Weilstraße 199
D — 73733 Esslingen am Neckar